Taj Mahal, one of the modern wonders of the world, is indeed a pleasing vista for us.

History remembers it as great monument built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz.

But few question this fact. Yes, there are several conspiracy theories revolving around this ancient master piece.

And one of the theories tell different story altogether. As per the research, this iconic architectural marvel is not an ultimate display of eternal love but a Hindu temple called Tejo Mahalaya. He claimed that this structure was originally not a mausoleum. It was an ancient Hindu Temple dedicated to worship Lord Shiva.

Famous researcher and professor P.N Oak is the one who has suggested this theory.

He suggested that this is a temple palace and not a tomb. He backed his point by saying that the word Mahal is used to describe a royal palace and not a tomb.He also revealed that the famous love story of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan is a fairy tale developed by court sycophants. He has given out all his details in his book named Tajmahal: The True Story. 

This theory has slight backing from the Indian history of capturing rival’s temples or mansions and transforming them and use as a burial place for dead courtiers.

He even filed petition demanding that Taj Mahal should be declared as Hindu Monument and to determine the reality they should allow to open cenotaphs and sealed apartments to find out lingams and other evidences but in the year 2000 India’s Supreme Court dismissed Oak’s petition.

Later on again this case was opened up by Amar Nath Mishra who said that the Taj Mahal was built by the Hindu King Parmar Dev in 1196.

If this is true then whole legend will be tossed over.

So the million dollar question will always loom whether Taj Mahal is the epitome of love or is it humongous lie by propagandists?

The true story will always be mystery for us.

The post Taj Mahal Is A Hindu Temple Known As Tejo Mahalaya? appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

While on the one hand, Indian society talks about women as not being having any place in the Indian culture (the statement of Mr. M.L. Sharma in the Nirbhaya case), we have thousands of Varanasi widows celebrating the colourful festival of Holi with their counterparts in Vrindavan .

The widows are celebrating a four-day festival for Holi and for this more than 1000 kgs. of gulaal has been arranged. It is NGO Sulabh International that has arranged for this programme and this time the Vrindavan widows who had been playing holi only with their ‘Thakurji’ or Lord Krishna, in previous years, will play with a lot many colours and flowers and many more people around.

Widows celebrate Holi with Lord krishna

What had become an unthinkable, unimaginable dream for these forlorn women or ‘mayyas’ as they are popularly referred to in Vrindavan, in their colourless, mundane life, has now come to be true.

This holi celebration is something new and unexpected in their lives as according to Indian social stigmas and norms, widows are expected to live a very basic, simple life and not take part in any sort of festivities as they are generally considered to be inauspicious for any happy occasion.

The ‘Pagal Baba Widow Ashram’ is the place where the holi celebration will take place for four continuous days that has already started since March 3^rd and will go on till 6^th of March. The widows in this ashram seem to have out-casted all gloom and dreariness from their lives at least for these four days, where the group would be seen celebrating the colourful festival even by visiting Taj Mahal in Agra. A group of 35 widows living in Varanasi have been staying in Vrindavan for this celebration together.  Some of these ashram inmates had never even imagined to have an opportunity to view the Taj in their lifetime.

Pagal Baba Widow Ashram

The holi that these widows have been celebrating from 3^rd march have been accompanied with songs, dances and a gamut of rich colours.

These women who have been eschewed and live estranged from the mainstream society have found a shelter in Vrindavan but their pitiful condition is something worth noticing where they wear white sarees and are kept alienated from all joys of life, so much so that even the Supreme Court has rebuked the Centre and U.P. government for not catering to the deplorable conditions of these widows.

Vrindavan – the city of widows

The ‘City of Widows’, Vrindavan will now come to be known as a place that will set new regulations, trends and practices among the widow community in the country. It seems these widows have finally broken all fetters of the stringent patriarchal society and years of social contempt to live a life of their own where there is music, dance, colours, fun and life.

Wish this freedom was allowed to all India’s daughters! It is upon us to make this Holi colourful for one and all. Happy Holi!

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India has several festivals of art and craft all-round the year, across the country.

You will find an amazing amalgamation of different people, art and culture at these numerous places.

So how about a festival at the monument of love, Taj Mahal in Agra?

The Taj Mahotsav takes place every year at the Shilpgram near the Taj Mahal. This festival completely recreates the Mughal era with its beautiful art and culture. This year the festival takes place from 18th-27th February. When you witness this festival you actually get an experience of the grandeur it has with a humungous procession of magnificently decorated elephants and camels along with other musicians.

Taj Mahotsav – Music

This carnival is a great platform for all the artisans from different parts of the country to showcase their art and talent. You will find all the handicrafts from different states like the marble and zardozi work of Agra, the famous silk and zari work of Banaras, chikankari of Lucknow, lovely shawls and carpets from both Gujarat and Kashmir and many more. Apart from the art and craft, there will be many folk artists performing at the event, taking a step forward to let people know about the hidden folk culture of India.

Art and craft at Taj Mahotsav

Every year the Taj Mahotsav has a different theme on which the whole festival is celebrated. The theme of this year’s Taj Mahotsav is, sanskriti ka satrangi utsav, where all different cultures come together and celebrate the oneness of the country. The festival is held at Shilpgram, which is situated near the eastern gate of Taj Mahal. It is said that this is the place where the artisans who made the Taj Mahal used to rest after a day’s work and watched the developing site from here. The location right next to Taj Mahal is just apt for the Taj Mahotsav to take place, recreating the old and royal Mughal era with all kinds of splendour.

Taj Mahotsav at Agra

In the grand procession around 400 artisans, skilled craftsmen, dancers, musicians, etc. also take part with utmost excitement. Experiencing this lovely site is mesmerising and thrilling at the same time. The Mahotsav includes all types of world-renowned folk, classical and semi-classical artists who add up to the glory of this festival.

Besides the cultural programmes, this is the right place to give way to your gastronomic delights and enjoy some delicious cuisines of not only Uttar Pradesh but also from different states of the country. There is an ample variety of food delights and surely this is a heaven for all foodies.

So, with ten days of sheer enjoyment, visiting the Taj Mahotsav can be your pick for travel this month!

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