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.