Agra, July 24 (IANS) The three-day ‘urs’ of Mughal emperor Shah Jehan will begin in Taj Mahal here from July 29. Entry to the monument will be free for the visitors for more than 20 hours, officials said.

A meeting of the district authorities Wednesday reviewed the arrangements for the ‘urs’ - death anniversary observance - and decided to bar bands leading processions from entering the main building of the Taj. The processions will be stopped in the forecourt where they would be permitted to distribute sweets. 

A ceremonial ‘chadar’ - votive offering usually made of either flowers or cloth-spread - will be offered by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). A multi-coloured several hundred metres long chadar is being prepared for the purpose. Last year, the ASI had offered 300-metre long ‘chadar’.

The authorities, expecting a heavy rush, have decided to tighten the security at the three-century old monument. Additional District Magistrate Rajeev Rautela said only shehnai and harmonium would be permitted inside the complex.

.....Back