Agra City : Star City of India

FAIRS & FESTIVALS IN AGRA

The Taj Mahotsav
Stone Inlaywork, Agra, Agra, Uttar Pradesh One of the most awaited cultural festivals in India is the Taj Mahotsav. The festival is organized during February. This ten day extravaganza is held in the Shilpgram close to the Taj. Taj Mahotsav brings the extensive arts, crafts and culture of India on display. This festival has the classical dance and classical song performances by some of the well known artists in India. Mushairas and ghazal programmes add to the colour of the festival. Camel and elephant rides accompanied by games and delicacies attract children and elders in equal numbers.

Come February and it's springtime! The time of the year when nature dawns all it's colorful splendour and Agra bursts into colorful celebrations. For 10 days there is a sheer celebration of Uttar Pradesh's rich heritage of arts, crafts, culture, cuisine, dance and music. Yes, it is Taj Mahotsav time again. There are festivities all around and Agra truly puts on the colors of joy and gets transformed into one non stop carnival. Organised by Uttar Pradesh Tourism, and held as an annual event at Shilpgram, literally next door to the Taj Mahal, the Taj Mahotsav is indeed a fitting tribute to the legendary skills of matercraftsmen and exponents of art, music and cuisine. Not only this, it is also a gentle peep into the rich heritage and extraordinary legacies of this wonderful land.

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The festivities commence with a spectacular procession inspired by Mughal splendour. Bedecked elephants and camels, drum beaters, folk artists and mastercraftsmen.... all help to recreate a visual delight reminiscent of the golden era of the Mughal Darbars.

Taj Mahotsav is where the legendary artisans and mastercraftsmen breathe life into their exquisite works of art. Marble inlay apart, the Festival brings forth an array of other fine crafts as well- wood carvings from Saharanpur, brass and other metalwasre from Moradabad, handmade carpets of Badohi, the blue pottery of Khurja, the Chikan work of Lucknow, the silk of Banares... to name a few. Agra with its legendry tradition of exquisite craftmenship is thus the ideal venue for holding a crafts fair like the Taj Mahotsav.

Renowned Dancer Meenakshi Sheshadari performing Kuchipudi Dance, Taj Mahotsav, Agra, Agra, Uttar Pradesh At the Mahotsav, be sure to be a part of the Food Festival. Relish the exotic cuisine's and delicacies prepared by some of the oldest exponents and the typical preparations from the interiors of Uttar Pradesh.

Throughout the Mahotsav, one can experience a profusion of folk music and dances of Dundelkhand, 'Nautanki' (Drama), 'Sapera' dance of Rajasthan, Lavani of Maharashtra.... performed just the way they used to be centuries ago.

Agra is renowned for it's breathtaking, centuries old monuments. For experiencing the pomp and glory of the eras gone by there are classical performances held at these ageless sites, recreating the splendor and ambience once associated with Mughal monarchs.

Bhateshwar Fair :

Venue: Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
Main Attraction: Livestock Fair
In The Months Of: October & November
Main Ritual: Holy Dip In River Yamuna

Situated at a distance of 70 km. from Agra on the banks of river Yamuna, Bateshwar is an important spiritual and cultural centre and also the birthplace of the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Situated at a distance of 70 km. from Agra on the banks of river Yamuna,Bhateshwar is an important spiritual and cultural centre. The place is named after the presiding deity of the region, Bateshwar Mahadeo and has 108 temples, dedicated to the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon.

During the months of October & November, a large fair is organised from Shashthi of Kartik month to Panchami of Agrahayan month. The fair holds a lot of importance for the Hindus. Devotees congregate here in large numbers to worship Lord Shiva and take holy dips in river Yamuna. A Livestock Fair is also organised and owners and buyers conduct serious business combined with the gaiety of a market place.

Rambarat : Venue: Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
Main Activity: Enactment Of Main Procession Of Lord Rama
In The Months Of: September & October
The marriage procession of Sri Ram called as 'Rambarat' is held every year, during Ramlila celebrations at Agra. The marriage procession of Sri Ram called as 'Rambarat' is held every year, during Ramlila celebrations at Agra. Every year, a new locale of the town is chosen as Janakpuri, which is elaborately decorated to perform the royal wedding. The Rambarat (marriage procession) starts from Lala Channomalji Ki Baradari for Janakpuri, passing through different parts of the town. The barat is a large procession of tableaux or the 'jhankis', followed by Ram and Lakshman, mounted on elephants.

Kailash fair :

Venue: Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
In The Months Of: August & September
Dedicated To: Lord Shiva

The kailash fair is held at Kailash, 12 kms from Agra during the months of August-September. It is a major fair celebrated in honour of lord shiva, who is believed to have appeared here in the form of a stone lingam..