Taj Mahal Urs
Shah Jahan's Urs begins
at Taj Mahal
July 10, 2010, The 355th
death anniversary of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan is being observed at the
greatest of all monuments he built that is the Taj Mahal. Tens of thousands
of devotees thronged the 17th century marvel especially for the three-day
event that began on Friday. During this period, people pay homage
at the graves of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz, in whose memory the Taj
Mahal was built. The graves otherwise are not open for public viewing.
Free Taj Mahal entry on 344th Urs of Shah Jahan
Security personnel expect
a big rush until Sunday. Entry to the Taj is free Saturday and Sunday.
Prince Yakub Habeebuddin
Tucy from Hyderabad, who claims to be the last descendent of the Mughal
dynasty, will participate in the Urs.
One of the organisers,
Tahiruddin Tahir, said a record 450-metre 'saptrangi chadar' (multi-coloured
sheet) will be offered at the graves as part of a ritual.
Sandalwood powder will
be sprinkled on the graves.
However, ambiguity about
the year of Shah Jahan's death continues.
The Uttar Pradesh government
website mentions 1666 as the year Shah Jahan died, making this the 344th
anniversary. But the organising committee is celebrating it as the 355th
Urs.
The Taj Mahal, India's
biggest tourist draw, is located about 200 km south of New Delhi.
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