Pongal: this nationwide festival is held with the intention of offering thanks for the harvest and covers a 4-day period, with the residents of Agra generally enjoying the most vibrant celebrations on the second day.

Republic Day: following the establishment of independence in 1947, the country’s official constitution was ratified on 26 January 1950. The residents of Agra enjoy a public holiday in line with the rest of the country, with lively celebrations often involving colourful public spectacles.

Maha Shivaratri: with a name translating as ‘Night of Shiva’, this festival, which is celebrated across the country, is a heavily religiously oriented one and sees Hindu followers making offerings and observing abstinence.

Taj Mahotsav: this 10-day-long affair is a celebration of culture via the mediums of music, dance and performance art. With the stunning beauty of the Taj Mahal in the background, residents and visitors alike enjoy this cultural extravaganza, which is certainly the most popular event on the city’s calendar.

Holi: people of Agra celebrate this popular festival in the same manner as other destinations in the country, with bonfires on the first day and jovial water antics on the second. Elephant Festival: take a trip to neighbouring Jaipur for a variety of pachyderm-related events, including elephant races and elephant polo.

Eid ul Milad: Muslim residents of Agra mark the birthday of the prophet Mohammad with lively celebrations and a public holiday.

Buddha Purnima: also known as Vesak Day, this is one of the most important periods in the Buddhist calendar, as Buddhists all around the world celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha.

Guru Purnima: Hindus among Agra’s residents celebrate the birthday of Krishna-dwaipayana Vyasa, the guru responsible for writing the Mahabharata.

Kailash Fair: Kailash is a small town located just 12kms from Agra and is the setting for this annual fair, which is held in honour of Lord Shiva who is believed to have once appeared there in the form of a stone lingam.

Independence Day (Swatantrata Divas): Agra’s residents and Indian citizens across India celebrate their country’s independence from British rule in 1947 with a public holiday. Flag-raising ceremonies are part of the proceedings along with a speech from the prime minister.

Janmashtami: Agra’s Hindu residents celebrate the birth of Krishna with a variety of lively traditions and ceremonial practices.

Ramadan: not so much a festival as one of the most significant periods in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a month-long period of prayer and abstinence with many Muslims fasting for the greater part of the day and abstaining from sexual intercourse. With such a large Muslim contingent in Agra’s population, visitors can expect the availability of some shops and services to be reduced during this period.

Bateshwar Fair: travel just 70kms from Agra to the town of Bateshwar for this annual event, which attracts literally thousands of visitors. The fair, intended as a means of honouring Lord Shiva, features cattle and livestock trading; and runs on into the month of November.