Ankush Group of Hotels & Resorts

Location: Shilpgram, Near Taj Mahal, Agra

Time: February

Duration: 10 days

Organized by: Uttar Pradesh Tourism

Significance: Celebrated to promote rich arts, crafts, culture, cuisine, dance and music of the state

Highlights: A procession taken out in the typical Mughal era style, food festival, performances by folk musicians and dancers, etc

Taj Mahotsav is celebrated at Agra in the month of February for ten days. Organized by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism, the Taj Mahotsav is mainly dedicated to the promotion of Uttar Pradesh's rich arts, crafts, culture, cuisine, dance and music. Infact, it serves as an acknowledgment to the craftsmen as well as the exponents of art, music and cuisine. The venue of the festival of Taj Mahostav is Shilpgram, which is stone's throw away from Taj Mahal. The festival starts with a procession including bejeweled elephants and camels, drum beaters, folk artists and master craftsmen.

This procession is an effort to reconstruct the ones that were taken out during the time of the Mughals. The crafts that are showcased in the festival have immense variety and include:

Woodcarvings of Saharanpur

Brass and other metal ware of Moradabad

Handmade carpets of Badohi

Blue pottery of Khurja

Chikan work of Lucknow

Silk of Banares, etc

One of the major attractions of the Taj Mahal Utsav of Agra is the Food Festival, where you can get some of the oldest and the most typical delicacies from the interiors of Uttar Pradesh. Folk music and folk dances of Bundelkhand, 'Nautanki' (Drama), 'Sapera' dance of Rajasthan will further entertain you in this amazing festival.

The history of the Taj Mahal tells us "why was the Taj Mahal built" and many other myths and facts associated with this wonderful structure. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan erected the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan (then Prince Khurram) met Mumtaz Mahal (then Arjumand Banu Begum) at the age of fourteen and fell in love at the first sight. She was a Muslim Persian princess and Shah Jahan was the son of the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir. Five years later, in 1612, they got married. As you read further you will come to know more about the history of the Taj Mahal at Agra…

Mumtaz Mahal, an inseparable companion of Shah Jahan, died in 1631, while giving birth to their 14th child. It is believed that during her last moments, Mumtaz Mahal obtained a promise from Shah Jahan that he will build world's most beautiful monument in her memory. But this has not been proven to be true, till date. However, Shah Jahan did indeed build a magnificent monument as a tribute to her wife, which we today know as the "Taj Mahal". Shah Jahan, himself also, lies entombed in this mausoleum along with his wife.

The construction of Taj Mahal started in the year 1631 and it took approximately 22 years to build it. An epitome of love, it made use of the services of 22,000 laborers and 1,000 elephants. It was built entirely out of white marble, which was brought in from all over India and central Asia. After an expenditure of approximately 32 million rupees (approx US $68000), Taj Mahal was finally completed in the year 1653. However, the history of Taj Mahal of India still has some gaps. For example, there are many theories regarding the architect of this magnificent monument.

Our camp on the Ganga, is nearly 26 Kms north of Rishikesh (in Garhwal, Uttarakhand) on Badrinath highway. Our camp site is one of the biggest stretch of silver sand beach in this area and located in the left bank of mighty Ganges. Camp is open from mid September till the end of June.

The most popular trips are the 03 days / 02 night?s packages. All equipment - life jackets & helmets, etc. are provided and our experienced staff will guide your raft through the rapids for an exhilarating trip down the Ganga! Children under 12 years who wish to do the adult raft trip, would need to get an OK from our personnel, who take the decision based on the height & weight ratio for the safety. Younger children can do a calmer trip down river, as well as kayaking, volleyball, baseball, swimming and even hikes into the surrounding forest can be arranged with prior notice. A day in camp is rounded off with a campfire and a leisurely evening with your fellow rafters.

Accommodation:-

Our capacity is up to 40 persons at any one time, be it in one group or individual families. We offer large deluxe tents on a twin share basis. Each tent accommodates 2 twin beds, . All tents enjoy a clear view of the river and are set apart from each other so that each enjoys relative privacy. We provide mattresses, pillows with covers, sheets and blankets.

Toilets:-

In keeping with environmental standards and being situated on a river bank, we offer dry pit western style toilets that are simple, hygienic and odor free. This type of toilet is the only one permitted by the Indian Forest department after careful study and research of location and usage.

Showers:-

In keeping with the ambience we offer shower enclosures in the forest. Basic but fun! Hot water is provided. Showers are available at certain times and this will be explained during the camp briefing on reaching camp.

Food:-

Meals are served at a buffet. The food is good, clean & wholesome. Usually one continental & one Indian meal per day, with a continental breakfast. Although we have fixed menus, we are flexible with the menu depending on the guests' profile. Children are  always especially considered and an early dinner is served to them every evening in consultation with the parents. 

1Night/ 2 Days:-

Day 01 - Arrival camp by lunch. Safety Briefing and allocation of tents. Evening  water fall trek/ Jungle walk and introduction to surrounding area. Back to Camp for Campfire and Dinner. Over night stay in tents.

Day 02 - Wake up call for tea at 7:00 am after breakfast the group will move for White water rafting, today we will hit the most famous and wild rapids of Ganga Like Roller coaster, Golf course and many more back to camp and then depart for Further destination.

Services- The cost includes accomodation in beach camp for 1 night, all meals, campfire ,1 white water rafting run, guide charges and all taxes.

Cost -Rs 1850/ per person (min-10 pax)

2 Nights 3 Days:-

Day 1: Reaching Rishikesh by lunch - Check-in at the Camp - Acclimatization - Lunch - Briefing on safety, Raft maneuvering, and river discipline - Rafting Run - Evening camp-fire with light snacks - Dinner

Day 2: - Morning wake up call & Morning tea - Break Fast - Rafting Run - Lunch - Adventure / Activities of your choice : Beach Volleyball , trekking - - Evening camp-fire with light snacks - Dinner

Day 3: - Morning wake up call - Morning tea - Break Fast - Beach volley ball Lunch - Departure For Delhi

Services- The cost includes accomodation in beach camp for 2 night, all meals, campfire, 2 white water rafting run, guide charges and all taxes.

Cost -Rs 4000/per person.

Note -cost doesn?t includes transportation .

Hotel Raj Mahal Palace Package:- 2 nights 3 days package @ Rs. 3000/- per room per night on Deluxe A/C Room The above mentioned package includes :

Welcome drink on arrival.

Accommodation for a couple in Air-conditioned Deluxe rooms.

All Meals.

Fruits basket once during the stay.

Cookies basket once during the stay.

Tea / coffee in the morning.

Nature Walk.