The
city of Agra is dominated by Muslim and Hindu population. The region
as such celebrates the popular festivals as occurs in these faiths.
The popular Muslim and Hindu festivals are celebrated in the region
with the same enthusiasm as that of the rest India. Important Muslim
festivals include Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha and Moharram. Hindu
population celebrate Holi, Ramnavmi, Janmashtami, Ramlila, Dussehra,
Diwali, . The festivals as elsewhere are accompanied with prayers,
offerings, decorations and traditional food, singing and dancing.
Apart from popular festivals the residents also celebrate local
fairs and festivals. The local festivals like Taj Mahotsav,
Bateshwar Fair, Kailash fair and Rambarat are celebrated with great
fanfare and pomposity. Taj Mahotsav is celebrated in the month of
February at Shilpgram which is about one kilometer from the Taj
Mahal. The celebration is a good occasion to see and hear the
traditional performers of the region. There is display of
traditional crafts and arts during the occasion. Bateshwar fair is
celebrated in the month of October and November. Associated with the
fair is livestock trade and various temple offerings. The Kailash
Fair is held at Kailash, which is about 12 kms from Agra. The fair
is celebrated in the honor of Lord Shiva. Rambarat is celebrated to
pay homage to the wedding ceremony of Lord Rama. During this
festival which lasts for 10 days plays based on the sacred book of
Ramayana are enacted .
