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 Mahotsava 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.