Agra

Festive Celebrations

February marks the beginning of springtime and the Taj Mahotsava, which is a celebration of the arts and crafts, rich culture, heritage, music and dance. It starts with grand processions and you can watch elephants and camels adorned in jewellery; it's a ten day celebration that turns into one non-stop carnival. You can avail wood carvings from Saharanpur, earthenware of Khurja, metal ware from Moradabad and the all-time favourite chikan-work of Lucknow.

The Urs Festival is celebrated at Sheikh Salim Chisti's Dargah at Fatehpur Sikri, during Ramzan. Also celebrated in February, the Kailash Fair is one of the most awaited fairs here. It is celebrated for Lord Shiva on the occasion of Shivratri, who is believed to have emerged by means of a stone lingam. The Bateshwar Fair held in October or November is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is visited by thousands of devotees, who take a dip in River Yamuna and participate in the livestock and cattle fair.

Another interesting festival held annually in Agra is the marriage procession of Lord Ram and Sita, known as Rambarat. Actually a part of 'Ramlila', a drama on Lord Ram's life, this fair is marked by beautiful jhankis of the deities and the special set created of Sita's palace. The wedding is attended by a large number of devotees and the procession passes through different parts of the town. A special chariot bedecked with silver leaves is used as the mount of Ram. Especially stunning are the elaborate and heavy headgears.