Taj Mahotsav, one of the most eagerly
awaited festivals, is celebrated from 18 to
27 February every year at Shilpgram near the
Eastern gate of
"Taj Mahal".
This 10 days long carnival is actually a
vibrant platform that brings together
India's finest craft and culture at one
single place. It is a festive introduction
to India as a whole and Uttar Pradesh
in particular, where the
extensive range of art, craft, culture and
cuisine are on display.
Agra, a city on the bank of River Yamuna,
finds mention in the epic Mahabharatha asAgravan.
Ptolemy, the famous 2nd centaury geographer,
marked it Agra on the world map .
It is generally accepted that Sultan Sikandar Lodi, the ruler of Delhi Sultanate
founded it in the year 1504 but the golden
age of the city began with Mughals after
1526. It was then known as Akbarabad and remained
the Capital of the Mughal empire under
Emperor Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
Agra's significance as a political
centre ended with the transfer of the
capital to Delhi by Shah Jahan, but its
architectural wealth has secured it a
place on the International map.
