How to reach Agra.

The Taj festival is celebrated at Agra. The site for the celebration is a specially built place called Shilpa Gram that means the Crafts Village in Hindi/Sanskrit. Agra is situated in the State of Uttar Pradesh Inida. This is the city of Taj Mahal, 5th wonder of the world. Agra is one of the most favored destinations among foreign tourists in India. Any tour to India is considered incomplete without a visit to the mausoleum of marble. Agra is accessible by Air, Road, Rail from all major cities of India.

Reaching Agra by Air

One can fly to Agra from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata the major International Airports. A flight from Delhi to Agra will take only 40 minutes. The airport at Agra is 7 kilometers away form City center. Airport is 3 kms away form Idgah bus stand.

Reaching Agra by Road

Idgah bus stand is the main bus stand of Agra. From here one can catch buses for Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc. Buses for Mathura also leave from Agra Fort bus stand. You may also book a Car form Delhi which will be a 4 hour drive and will cost you around $100.

Reaching Agra by Rail

You can book a train ticket to Agra form any major city on Indian Railway. Indian Railway offers General Sleeper berths as well as First/Second/Third class AC coaches.

Traveling in and around Agra.

Once in Agra you can select form a host of travel option to move around in the city, visit various place and do your shopping. Common modes of commuting include Cabs, Auto-Rickshaws, and Cycle –Rickshaws. You can even enjoy horse driven Rickshaws “Tonga” rides. Cycles can be hired at hourly rates too. It is to be remembered that no diesel or petrol vehicle are allowed to ply in the Taj Mahal area. Battery-operated buses, horse-driven Tongas, rickshaws and other pollution-free vehicles are allowed to conserve the beauty of this great monument.

Image Gallery - Arts and Crafts

Pottery and clay work on display at the Taj Mahotav. One of the attraction in Crafts is the special blue pottery work form Khurja. There would also be a great array of colorful Ceramic ware.




Special embroidered clothes are a craze during this time. Chikan work form Lucknow and bead work form Rajasthan will definitely attract tourist attraction. The image to the right is an example of beadwork.




Chikan work on ladies wear. Ethnic type designs are famous among western and Indian buyers alike.






Wooden carvings form Saharanpur. Nice decorative pieces in wood are a hallmark of expert craftsmanship.

Performers at Taj Mahotsav 2009

This year Taj Mohotsav holds a brilliant line up of internationally famous musicians, dancers, comic artists for the ten day long celebration. Some of the events that have been scheduled include Musical Concerts, Laughter Show, Ghazal Evenings, Pyrotechnics, Dance Nights , Conclave, Fashion Show, Mushaira, Kavi- Sammelan etc.

Some of the leading singers and performers who have confirmed their presence at the Taj Mahotsav festival include the following.

• Ghulam Ali
  
• Ismail Darbar
• Kunal Ganjawala
  
• Hari Prasad Chaurasia
• Nida Fazali
• Kuldeep Dubey
  
• Dr.Kumar Vishvas
  
• Rahat Indori
  
• Mamta Sharma
  
• Mauli
  
• Harpreet
  
• Sonu Nigam
• Surendra Sharma

Taj Mahotsav 2009

About Taj Mahotsav festival in Agra, India

Taj Mahotsav in a modern day Indian cultural festival celebrated in the vicinity of Taj Mahal, one of the eight wonders of the world. This year the Taj Mahotsav celebrations promise to be a special and grander affair as the world voted Taj Mahal as to the New Seven Wonders of the world on 07.07.07. For those who are not aware Taj Mahal is situated in the City of Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. This event is organized by Uttar Pradesh state Tourism department. This is celebrated in the month of February every year with the advent of spring in India. This is the best season to visit Taj Mahal for foreign tourists. This year, 2009, the Taj Mahotsav fair will be celebrated form 18 – 27 February.

What to expect at Taj Mahotsav , Agra

Taj Mahotsav is a ten day long festival celebrated in Shilpa Gram very close to the monument of love or the Marble Marvel as people call the Taj. This festival is reminiscent of old mughal era and nawabi style. It starts with a grand road procession with decorated elephants and camels like victory processions of Mughal Emperors and warlords. Procession also includes drum and trumpet players, folk dancers, skilled crafts men and artisans. It would now be apparent that it’s a festival handicrafts, ethnic Indian folk dances fused with modern song and dance culture too. Internationally renowned performers will entertain the guest during the 10 day cultural festival at Taj Mahotsav. Craft work in display will be mostly Marble engraving and inlay work, Chikkan work on Clothes from Lucknow, leather Goods from Agra, wood carvings from Saharanpur, metal work form Bhadoi, exquisite blue pottery work from Khurja. International Tourists specially love to experience the special elephant and camel rides here. Over all the visitors are treated to a royal experience like the mughal grandeur 350 years ago.

Taj Mahotsav 2009 Tour Packages