Taj Mahotsav

Taj Mahotsav (Hindi: ताज महोत्सव, Urdu: تاج مہوتسو, translation: Taj Jubilee) is an annual 10 day (from 18 to 27 February) event at Shilpgram in Agra, India. Every year in February tourists flock to Agra for this mega event, just a stone throw from the majestic Taj Mahal. This festival invokes the memories of old Mughal era and nawabi style prevalent in Uttar Pradesh in 18th and 19th centuries.

Arts & Crafts

About 400 artisans from different parts of India get an opportunity to display their exquisite works of art. To name a few among them are the wood/stone carvings from Tamil Nadu, Bamboo/cane work from North East India, Paper mash work from South India and Kashmir, the marble and zardozi work from Agra, wood carving from Saharanpur, brass wares from Moradabad, hand made carpets from Bhadohi, Pottery from Khurja, Chikan work from Lucknow, silk & zari work from Banaras, shawls & carpets from Kashmir/Gujarat and hand printing from Farrukhabad and Kantha stitch from West Bengal etc.

Culture

The festival starts with a grand road procession with decorated elephants and camels like victory processions of Mughal Emperors and warlords. Drum beaters, trumpet players, folk dancers, skilled crafts men and artisans also join the procession to make it a grander affair. Artists from all over India come here to display their art and craftmanship.

Apart from the exquisite craft work you can experience the majestic and magnetic performances by artistes from every walks of life. The soul-stirring performances will engulf you to the extent of casting a spell. Throughout the Mahotsav, one can experience a profusion of folk & classical music & dances of various regions, especially the Brij Bhumi, performed the way they used to be centuries ago. The experience is so enthralling that you would not stop yourself from joining with the folk dancers. Besides the folk, the Mahotsav also exhibit the performance from the world renowned artistes from classical, semi-classical and popular art forms.

Initiatives

The Uttar Pradesh State AIDS Control Society has understood the importance of the event and use different folk dances to campaign about AIDS awareness.

Theme

Every year the Taj Mahotsav is celebrated with a message or theme for the world. In year 2009 the theme for Taj Mahotsav is Sulah Kul i.e. Universal Peace and harmony. Though the concept of Sulah kul is imbibed in the ancient tradition of India but it assumed prominence during the reign of the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar who adopted sulah kul as his state policy. As per this policy all religions were equally respected in his administration. Now in the present world the concept of universal peace is again gaining importance.

Entry & Tickets

• Entry ticket is for Rs. 10/- (Children below 10 are free)
• All Foreign visitors have free entry in Taj Mahotsav.

See also

• Agra
• Ram Barat
• Taj Mahal

References

• Official Website
• http://www.destinationsindia.com/taj-mahal/taj-mahotsav-festival.html
• http://www.indobase.com/events/details/taj-mahotsav.php
• http://agra.nic.in/TajMahotsav.htm
• http://upaidscontrol.up.nic.in/Events/Mahotsav.mht
• Information and Facts on Taj Mahotsav