The culturally rich and vibrant city of Lahore, known for its fairs and festivals, has lost its colours over time. It got an opportunity to relive the past and enjoy the cultural activities the historic city is known for -- in the form of Jashn-e-ShahiGuzargah, or Royal Trail Festival, organised by the Walled City Lahore Authority (WCLA) from February 20 to February 22.

That route inside the Walled City the Mughal-era rulers took while coming from Delhi formed the setting of the festival.

The trail between Delhi Gate and Kotwali Chowk, near Wazir Khan Mosque and all the adjacent streets were decorated with LED lights.

In a rare gesture, the residents of the area were taken on board and given an ownership of the festival. They opened their houses to visitors and offered them traditional foods and cold and hot drinks.

Many who had returned to this part of old Lahore after years were surprised to see the streets cleared of encroachments, electric poles removed, electricity wires covered and laid underground, pavements rebuilt, sewerage and drainage systems in order and facades of the centuries-old houses conserved.

WCLA is overwhelmed by the success of the festival and sees it turning into one of the biggest annual features of the city. Though it was advertised through social media only, people turned up in such large numbers that the entrance gate had to be closed, says Tania Qureshi, Communication Manager, WCLA.

The event timings on all three days were between 8pm and midnight but people could be seen coming much earlier.

Saira Ansari, a visitor who has always lived in Lahore, visited the old parts of the city for the first time with friends and family. She found it to be the most colourfulplace she has ever seen. Though she has travelled to different countries,  she was not aware her own city prided in such a valuable culture.

The festival offered authentic Lahori cuisine, musical performances, sufi night, qawali and folk performances, bandar tamasha (monkey show), camel rides, snake charmers, jugglers, behroopiya (imposter), flute play, parrot show, and arts and crafts exhibition.

Also, a special bazaar was set up next to the Wazir Khan mosque.

Ajoka and Rafi Peer Theater Workshop performed in Sabeel Wali Gali. "Elders of the visiting families were seen excited to reconnect with their past and explain things to the young generation," Qureshi adds.

She says some 25,000 visitors attended the events on the first day and by the last day of the festival the number had swelled to more than 60,000. "No doubt next year the visitors will be in multiples of this number as this best kept secret has been unfolded," she adds.

Zareena Bibi, a resident of Katra Neem Wala, a neighbourhood inside the Walled City, initially thought traffic diversions would upset the locals but to her surprise they enjoyed every bit of the festival -- "We were not expecting this kind of a response from public and the respect and sense of ownership awarded to us. It seemed to us as if we are the real hosts of the event."

DG WCLA Kamran Lashari says the locals were consciously involved in the festival -- "They are the custodians, and must have a say in the affairs of the Walled City".

Lashari says they would have loved to extend the duration of the festival but it was difficult to do so. The traffic had to be diverted to facilitate visitors and traders in the wholesale markets were requested to bring trucks in after midnight.

Peace committees were formed and policemen were deployed in large numbers to provide security. The event was an interesting medley of sights and sounds but the most inspiring part was watching people mingling and enjoying the rich culture of their city. "They had a genuine reason to celebrate," says Lashari.