The Taj Mahotsav in Agra has taken a spiritual turn this year, drawing attention to the city’s rich Hindu cultural traditions and Shiva temples. The event has highlighted the importance of Agra beyond the Taj Mahal and aimed to raise awareness about the city’s heritage.
The Agra Municipal Corporation organized the daily Yamuna Aarti, which has been a major attraction for thousands of people. Additionally, cultural activities across the city have emphasized the significance of Hindu temples.
The Yogi Adityanath government has renamed a metro rail station to Sri Mankameshwar, shifting the focus to the city’s spiritual heritage. Hoteliers, guides, and green activists convened to demand recognition of Agra as a heritage city with deep Hindu cultural roots.
Speakers at the symposium on Agra beyond the Taj highlighted the city’s association with Shiva temples, proposing that Agra can be described as the hub of Shiva temples, similar to Tamil Nadu and Bhubaneshwar’s monikers as the ‘Temple State of India’ and the ‘Temple City of India,’ respectively.
Agra’s association with Shiva temples has been underlined, with many believing that the Taj Mahal itself was a Rajput Shiva temple. The city’s antiquity is defined by centuries-old Shiva temples, giving it a new profile as Shiva’s own land.
The fourteenth edition of ‘Agra Beyond Taj’ sought to bring attention to this aspect of the city’s identity, aiming to raise awareness about its rich history and cultural heritage. The symposium delved into the ‘Chronology of Shiv Temples in Agra and Bateshwar’ as part of the ongoing Taj Mahotsav.
The high priest of Shri Mankameshwar temple, Mahant Yogesh Puri, emphasized Agra’s connection to Lord Shiva, citing the city’s famous Shiva temples at the four entrances and its prominent temples dedicated to Lord Bhairav.
Former President of the Tourism Guild of Agra, Arun Dang, highlighted historical figures who helped resurrect Shiva temples in Agra and Bateshwar, underscoring the pivotal role these temples have played in shaping the city’s character.
The event also addressed the importance of spiritualism and environmental consciousness, with a focus on river cleaning activities and the preservation of spiritual traditions. The significance of Shiva temples in Agra’s history was emphasized, with a call to give them a makeover to attract spiritually-inclined tourists.
