Shah Jahan's Urs celebrated at Taj Mahal in Agra

Agra (Uttar Pradesh), July 12 (ANI): Thousands of people thronged the world famous Taj Mahal in Agra to participate in the annual Urs fair on Sunday.

The fair commemorated the 355th death anniversary of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and lasted for three days.

People paid homage at the graves of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz, in whose memory the Taj Mahal was built.

"Thousands of people are participating in this festival. It is the 355th death anniversary day of Shah Jahan. It started on Friday (July 09). Today is the sandalwood powder ritual. We are known as the Khuddam-e-roja committee as we are the descendants of khadeems (attendants). We bring sandalwood from our homes and sprinkle on the grave of Shah Jahan," said Tahiruddin Tahir, president of Khuddam-E-Roja Committee.

A record 450-metre 'saptrangi chadar' (multi-coloured cloth) was offered at the graves as part of a ritual, and sandalwood powder was sprinkled on the graves.

"It is a sacred cloth that represent our good feelings. It been offered for the past 10 years. This sacred cloth represents all the religions and this is the 355th Urs fair of Shah Jahan. The people of all the religions, with respect and pure feelings, offer this sacred cloth," said Lakhbeer Singh Lakkhi, a pilgrim.

There is some ambiguity about the year of Shah Jahan's death as the Uttar Pradesh government website mentions 1666 as the year Shah Jahan died, which would make this his 344th death anniversary. However, the Urs organising committee has celebrated it as the 355th Urs. (ANI)