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Agra, India

Traditions and customs in Agra

5 customs and traditions in Agra — what they are, and how to take part without causing offence.

Last updated 2026-08-09

1. Marble inlay (pietra dura)

Marble inlay (pietra dura)
Photo: David Castor ( dcastor ) · Public domain · source

Semi-precious stone set into marble by hand, a craft descended directly from the Taj's workshops.

Watch outAlabaster and resin sold as marble, with fabricated claims of descent from the original craftsmen. Real marble is cold and translucent at the edge.

2. Mughal garden design

Mughal garden design
Photo: Jo Schmaltz from Hongkong, Hongkong · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source

The charbagh — four quadrants divided by water — is visible at every monument here and worth learning to read.

3. Zari and zardozi embroidery

Zari and zardozi embroidery
Photo: vijay chennupati from Sydney, Australia · CC BY 2.0 · source

Metal-thread embroidery on silk, a Mughal court craft still worked in the old city.

4. Taj Mahotsav

Taj Mahotsav
Photo: AnoushkaMathur · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

A ten-day crafts and performance festival each February, drawing artisans from across north India.

5. Leather work

Leather work
Photo: S. Bollmann · Attribution · source

Agra has been a shoe-making centre for centuries, supplying much of India.

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