AGRA GETS READY FOR WEEK - LONG SHAH JAHAN'S URS | AGRA NEWS

01\07\2010 AGRA NEWS
The 355 th urs of Mughal Emperor shah jahan is to be observed from july 9 to july 11 at the Taj Mahal in agra.
A special 'chadar' measuring 450 metres is to be offered to mark the death anniversary of the Mughal king and no visitor to the Taj Mahal would be charged during the initial two days of Urs while on the third day, the entry will be entirely free.
Sayyed Munawwar Ali, the state chief convener for Uttar Pradesh Aman Committee,said the 'urs' is to be observed from July 9 to 11 .
He said," These dates depend on the sighting of the moon . There has been some confusion over the dates as earlier they were settled as July 8,9 and 10 but were later changed due to the moon's sighting."
"This change has been communicated to the Archaeological survey of India and its director general has already issued notification for allowing visitors on Friday, July 9 to the Taj Mahal . After the namaz of 'Juma' on Friday, the 'gusl' would be various programmes including 'quawalli' till the Taj Mahal closes for the day on Friday."
He said the 'chadar' would be offered on the third day and the celebrations would continue all day long. On all the three days, the traditional 'naubat' and 'shehnai' would be played at the gates of the taj mahal .
R.K. Diwedi, conservation archaeologist for the ASI deputed at Taj Mahal ,said ,"For the initial two days ,no one would be charged a fee to enter the taj after 2 p.m due to urs ."
The ASI has to undertake special work to manage the inflow of visitors and devotees during these three days. There are restrictions on playing band and drum and also on carrying banners, posters at Taj Mahal premises.
Munawwar Ali said the followers of Shah Jahan would cooperate with the ASI and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) while Urs is organised at the Taj Mahal .


source  - HT