Taj Mahotsav
Encyclopedia
Taj Mahotsav 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 nawab
i style prevalent in Uttar Pradesh
in 18th and 19th centuries.
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.
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.
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Every year in February tourists flock to Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
for this mega event, just a stone throw from the majestic Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal...
. This festival invokes the memories of old Mughal era
Mughal era
The Mughal era is a historic period of the Mughal Empire in South Asia . It ran from the early 15th century to a point in the early 18th century when the Mughal Emperors' power had dwindled...
and nawab
Nawab
A Nawab or Nawaab is an honorific title given to Muslim rulers of princely states in South Asia. It is the Muslim equivalent of the term "maharaja" that was granted to Hindu rulers....
i style prevalent in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
in 18th and 19th centuries.
Arts & Crafts
About 400 artisans from different parts of IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
get an opportunity to display their exquisite works of art. To name a few among them are the wood/stone carvings from Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, Bamboo/cane work from North East India, Paper mash work from South India and Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
, the marble and zardozi work from Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
, wood carving from Saharanpur
Saharanpur
Saharanpur is a city and a Municipal Corporation in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. It is the administrative headquarters of Saharanpur District as well as Saharanpur Division...
, brass wares from Moradabad
Moradabad
Moradabad is a city and a municipal corporation in Moradabad district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It was established in 1600 by prince Murad, the son of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan; as a result the city came to be known as Moradabad. It is the administrative headquarters of...
, hand made carpets from Bhadohi
Bhadohi
Bhadohi is a city ,Lok Sabha constituency and a municipal board in Sant Ravidas Nagar district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Also known as the "Carpet City", as it is home to the largest hand-knotted carpet weaving industry hubs in South Asia...
, Pottery from Khurja, Chikan work from Lucknow
Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
, silk & zari work from Banaras, shawls & carpets from Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
/Gujarat and hand printing from Farrukhabad
Farrukhabad
Farrukhābād , is one of the important cities of Central Doab Region in the State of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. The city was founded in 1717 by Mohammed Bangash who named it after the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar. Farrukhabad is situated on the bank of sacred river Ganges.-Demographics: India...
and Kantha stitch from West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
etc.
Culture
The festival starts with a grand road procession with decorated elephants and camels like victory processions of MughalMughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
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
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
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.