Agra, Oct 1

The Taj city's biggest annual extravaganza, the Ram Baraat, began here Tuesday evening, with the wedding of Hindu god Ram and goddess Sita set for Wednesday.

The 125-year-old tradition comes with hundreds of tableaux. Mobile akharas will showcase martial arts. Decorated horses, camels and buggies will be preceded by dozens of brass bands in spectacular colours.

Hundreds began marching Tuesday evening after dusk, meandering through the main streets of Agra so as to reach Janakpuri area early Wednesday. The entire route is 20 km long.

The themes of the march included social evils and crime against women.

After objections from the wildlife department last year, elephants were not allowed this time. 

At the specially erected Janak Mahal in Kamla Nagar, there will be daily prayers and cultural shows for the next three nights. 

Craftsmen from Kolkata have created an artificial palace of thermocol, plywood and cloth, with laser lights dazzling the structure. 

By:IANS