Gangaur Festival Rajasthan

Celebrated widely in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Nathdwara, Gangaur Festival is amongst the top festivals of Rajasthan. The word Gangaur is derived from Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri. The festival holds a lot of religious importance for married and unmarried women who worship Goddess Gauri for the prosperity and long life of their spouse, while the unmarried ones pray for getting a good match. The festival commences on the subsequent day of Holi which is celebrated for the next 18 days. Women make clay idols of Goddess Parvati and worship her every morning. They also sow wheat in earthen pots and water it religiously until the seeds start germinating, this is a very important ritual of the festival. Women are seen dressed in their best colourful attire and jewellery and also decorate their palms with henna. On the 7th day the unmarried women carry the pots on their heads with a lamp lit inside and are blessed by elders with gifts. One day before the last day, parents of married women also send certain gifts to their daughter. On the last day, women carry pots and the idols on their heads and walk through the streets. By breaking the pots and immersing the idol in the water marks the departure of Goddess Gauri.

Dates of the festival: The festival is celebrated annually between March-April. It is celebrated for 18 days starting the following day of Holi

Special highlights of the festival:

• Married women fast for all the 18 days, while unmarried women eat only one time in a day.
• Women make special Gauri clay idols, while some make permanent wooden images. Goddess Gauri is decorated in the best possible way.
• Cultural activities like Rajasthani dance and songs are performed by the women.
• The last day is like a feast marking the end of the festival and lighting fireworks in the sky.
• In many tribal communities this festival is considered as a match making day.
• A popular Rajasthani sweet name Ghevar is made and distributed to all as a celebration.