The 358th annual Urs of Shah Jahan has begun in the Taj Mahal, which the Mughal emperor built for his queen Mumtaz.
The qawwali programme continued till late Wednesday evening. District Magistrate Zuher Bin Sagir also joined the ritual of washing the graves of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz besides applying sandalwood and offering flowers.
The celebrations will continue for three days.
On Thursday, a huge procession will be taken out and a ceremonial "chadar" several hundred feet long will be carried from the inner gateway to the cenotaph chamber.
Entry to the Taj Mahal remains free during the Urs. The inner cenotaph, the original graves of the royal couple, will also remain open during this period.