Taj Mahotsav
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.
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.
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.
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