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Festivals of Agra
Agra is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. It is in Uttar Pradesh of India. You can reach Agra by means of air, by means of train and by road. It is a well-developed city. Agra had a Mughal rule for quite a long time. Agra is a well-populated city. There are various festivals celebrated in Agra. Many tourists are seen participating in these fairs and festivals. They get to know more about the culture of India and get various new things to buy. On the same day Agra tour by car, we could not attend any of these but visited the venues of the celebration of these places.
The Taj Mahotsav
Taj Mahotsav is one of the most popular festivals in Agra. It is celebrated once a year in the month of February for around 10 days. There is a crafts village or ‘Shilpgram’ which is the venue of the festival. The purpose of the celebration is to promote the art and craft of the region and give employment to the local craftsman. There are various items and articles of Arts, Crafts, Traditional Variety of Food, Cultural Performances, etc.
Bateshwar fair
Pateshwar is a small town which is 70 kilometers away from Agra. Bateshwar was the name of a Deity, Bateshwar Mahadev. There is deeply cultural and spiritual significance. There are 108 temples of different Hindu Gods and Goddesses. There is an annual fair which is organized in October or November. This fair is dedicated to Lord Shiva. People come over here in Bateshwar fair especially to take a dip in river Yamuna. According to Hindu Mythology, taking a dip in a holy river helps one get rid of past evil deeds. Livestock and Cattle Fair also forms an integral part of the fair. The celebration can be felt in Agra also during Bateshwar fair.
Ram Barat
‘Barat’ is a procession organized during somebody's marriage. This A Barat is. This procession is of Lord Ram. It is assumed that it is happening once again, the way it happened centuries ago. It is organized every year in Agra. There is a play called ‘Ram Leela’ in which the major events of Lord Ram are shown. It completes on Dussehra. There is a place called ‘Janakpuri’ where the bedecked ‘Jhankis’ travel to Janakpuri which is the base of the fair. The story is that Lord Ram goes with the Jhankis in a procession to Janakpuri which is believed to be the maiden house of Goddess Sita. Many people accompany this procession and enjoy a lot.
Kailash Fair
It is organized at Kailash Temple which is 12 kilometers away from Agra. Kailash Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thousands of devotees come from nearby areas to attend this fair. It is organized either in August or September. It is celebrated for the appearance of Lord Shiva in the form of a stone Lingam.
All the famous and festivals of Agra generate faith and enthusiasm in the people. They give a message to us. All the activities taking place have some rationale and there is our betterment hidden as a common purpose in all of them.
