Religious Festivals of Agra: A Tale of Culture and Brotherhood

Agra, the city of love in India, has much more to offer than the beautiful sights of the magnificent Taj Mahal. It is a lovely city that echoes the art and architecture of the medieval centuries. Agra city upholds the essence of the Ganga-Jamuni heritage. Due to its rich culture and monuments, the city experiences heavy tourism throughout the year. Anytime is a great time to visit Agra, but if you want to see the city in its best cultural form, then you should visit it during the infamous religious festival celebrations. Here you will get to experience the globally admired rugs and carpet shops. 

India is the land of festivals and fairs. However, some festivals are celebrated throughout the country, and some festivals are unique to certain cities. Agra is one such city that is known for its lively religious festivals and cultural fairs. These festivals are a way of bringing together people of different religions and occupations.

These festivals are not only a source of enjoyment for people, but they also offer great business opportunities for India’s handcrafts industry. The religious festivals of Agra are followed by a series of fairs. Here you'll find the best gems of India’s handicrafts industry, ranging from handwoven dhurrie rugs to fine showpieces. Thus, these festivals bring together the values of brotherhood woven into a series of art, drama, pujas, and breathtaking handicrafts.

So, keep reading to find out all about the five most pious religious festivals of Agra.

1. Ram Barat

Ram Barat is also popularly known as Ram Leela. It is one of the widely celebrated religious festivals across Uttar Pradesh. While many cities celebrate Ram Barat, the Ram Leela of Agra is the most sought-after event. Tourists from different nationalities flock to Agra to enjoy this festival.

The term "Ram Barat" actually refers to the specific event of Ram Leela. It is the wedding procession of the lord Ram. Every year, a new locality in Agra is chosen to host this celebration. Ram Barat's entire route is illuminated and decked with flowers and lights. This festival is a 3-day affair, so it requires significant planning for its grand execution. The stadiums are usually surrounded by an elaborate fair featuring the best artifacts of handicraft shops in India.

2. Kailash Fair

The Kailash fair is a religious celebration dedicated to Lord Shiva. The festivities of the Kailash fair occur during August or September. The main site for the fair is the Kailash temple, situated in a town called Sikandra. The term "Kailash" refers to the mythical mountain in the Himalayas where Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati live. During the festivities, the temple is decorated with marigold flowers and beetle leaves. It is an annual event that attracts a large number of participants from nearby town and even international tourists.

The fair takes place outside the premises of the Kailash temple. The Kailash Fair features beautiful and ornate artifacts of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. You will come across the finest picks at the Kailash fair like tapestries, lamps, rugs, carpets, etc.

3. Lathmar Holi

While Holi is a widely celebrated festival in India, Lathmar Holi celebrations are limited to certain cities in North India like Mathura and Agra. This playful festival starts 2-3 days before Holi and continues till the big day. The event is based on the ‘raas’ of neighborhood gents teasing the ladies by singing songs and playing with colors. The women, in turn, chase the men with lathis (sticks). This event is a reenactment of the legends of Lord Krisha, Radha, and the Gopis on Holi.

Lathmar Holi was a lesser-known religious festival in North India, but now it attracts a lot of traffic from foreign countries and other Indian cities. The celebration has especially attracted a cult of photographers and musicians who want to capture the essence of color and playfulness in their works.

4. Jhainji-Tesu

Few people are aware of this forgotten festival. Jhainji-Tesu is a lesser-known Mahabharata legend-based celebration of life, love, and loyalty. While this festival was famous in the streets of Agra in the past, it is now a rare sight. However, some homes in Agra still uphold the traditions of Jhainji Tesu, taking forward the rich history of the festival. Tesu (Son of Bhimsen) and Jhainji are symbolically wedded on the night of Sharad Purnima.

During the night of Sharad Purnima, children decorate the Tesu’s head on three sticks and Janjhi as a decorated pot with many holes, filtering out the light of the Diya kept outside. The children carry these locally made terracotta artifacts, and they roam around the neighborhood singing songs and seeking sweets.

5. Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr is popularly known as Eid. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated with great magnificence by Muslims all over the world. Agra is a city with diverse religious and cultural communities. The core city of Agra is engulfed in the festivities of Eid during April. The term Eid-ul-Fitr translates into "break of fast with festivities". On Eid, people break their Ramadan fast and enjoy delicious food and different varieties of sweet seviyan. The celebration also includes buying new clothes, a prayer rug, and Taqiyah (cap).

During the time of Eid, Jama Masjid in Agra experiences a lot of traffic from people all around the world. Thus, Eid brings diverse communities together in bonds of brotherhood and spirituality.

Conclusion

These are the five religious festivals of Agra that are unique and attention-worthy. Each of the festivities has its distinctive spiritual meaning and will surely give you a lifetime experience. So, if you are planning to visit Agra, align your plans with any of the above festivals to participate in the colorful and blessed festivities. Also, do not forget to shop for beautiful artifacts and carpets from the best rugs and carpet showrooms in Agra as souvenirs from the fairs promoting India’s handicraft industry!