Taj Mahal is the first thing several non-Indians will think of as soon as they hear the word India, and so is Agra. Agra and Taj Mahal don’t need any introduction. However something else is there, which is not so popular, but damn interesting, and that’s Taj Mahotsav. Its an annual festival which takes place in a premises named as Shilpgram (Agra), less than a kilometer away from Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahotsav: Showcasing Arts, Crafts, Culture and much more
The word Shilpgram is formed from two Hindi words Shilp and Gram. Shilp means Art and Craft whereas Gram is the Hindi word for Village. Shilpgram is probably the best name to define what it actually looks like and the feelings you get after entering Shilpgram.
I have attended Taj Mahotsav for four consecutive years, and the way I would like to define Taj Mahotsav is
It’s a festival to celebrate the diverse culture and multiple arts and crafts (along with the modern decedents) India possesses.
Agra has a long history of Mughal Rulers, and so, this festival also has a deep impact of Mughal culture, it starts with well-decorated Elephants and Camels on the road. They deliver a feeling of walking on the roads of some ancient Mughal Empire.
Later, when you enter the Shilpgram, you will come across stalls from different parts of India, showcasing their traditional Arts and Crafts, which consists of Sculpture, Jewels, Carpets, Clay pots, Puppets, Hand printings, wood carvings, brass wares, etc. You can also find stalls serving some delicious Indian dishes. If you are a craftsman and looking for showcasing your talent in Taj Mahotsav, visit the official website.
Cultural performances, like dances, gazals, etc are also a very important part of this cultural extravaganza.
Taj Mahotsav Date and Timing
Wherever you live and wherever you are from, do make it a point to visit this festival once in your lifetime. Moreover, if you haven’t visited the Taj Mahal, try scheduling it between 18th to 27th February of every year. That’s the duration of Taj Mahotsav as well. You can catch all the fun. Another important factor, during these days winters are almost at the verge of leaving. So the weather too is pretty suitable during this span.
Night Vision of Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal looks beautiful in Moon Light, and if you would like to see it in full moon, you can buy tickets for that as well. The tickets cost approximately Rs 500 and can be bought from the Archaeological Survey of India (A. S. I.) Agra.
Here are some links, which can be visited to know more about Taj Mahal.