ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ

“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”

India is one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse nations in the world and the birthplace of Hinduism.

Every year different states and religious societies of India celebrate numerous rituals and festivals as per their culture and tradition.

The state of Rajasthan and some parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal celebrates one of such auspicious festival known as Gangaur.

It is one of the most important and colorful festivals of the people of Rajasthan that is observed throughout the state with great faith and devotion during the months of March-April.

The word Gangaur is a combination of two words, i.e.

Gan and Gaur.

Gan is a synonym for Lord Shiva and Gaur is a synonym for Gauri or Goddess Parvati who symbolizes Saubhagya (marital bliss).

Numerous ancient Hindu texts, like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas describe Mata Parvati as the cosmic power of the earth, the originator of life on Earth, and is responsible for the movement of all things on the planet.

This popular festival Gangaur is the celebration of marital fidelity, childbearing, and harvest.

On this auspicious occasion, womenfolk of Rajasthan worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva with great sincerity.

Married women celebrate this festival for the welfare, good health, long life of their husbands and for a blissful married life while unmarried women worship Her to get blessings in the form of a desired husband.

The Festival: The Gangaur of Rajasthan is famous all over the world.

The celebration of the Gangaur festival begins on the first day of the month of Chaitra (as per the Hindu calendar), the day following Holi, and continues for 16 days.

This festival comes to an end on the third day of Shukla Paksha of the same month. It is usually an 18-day affair, during this period all women are expected to observe a restricted fast with one meal a day. Images or clay idols of Shiva-Gauri prepared by the local craftsmen are decorated and worshipped during the festival.

Womenfolk decorates the idols of Gauri with new garments specially made for the occasion and make them look like living figures.

Certain Rajput families worship permanent wooden images of the divine couple, which are repainted every year by reputed local painters called matherans before the commencement of the festival.

These figures are then placed within baskets along with wheatgrass and flowers in the houses and worshiped every day.

Wheatgrass plays an important role in this much-awaited festival as it signifies harvest.

Unmarried women also buy earthen pots known locally as Ghudlias and decorate them in a traditional Rajasthani painting.

They set out in a procession with Ghudilas on their head with a burning lamp inside, wearing traditional Rajasthani dresses, walking on the streets and lanes, which is an integral part of Gangaur festival.

The ladies decorate their hands and feet with beautiful designs made out of Mehndi (myrtle) is another popular practice of this 18-day long festival.

As per the tradition, married women receive gift hampers from their parents known as Sinjara, which comprises traditional clothes, jewelry, cosmetic products, and sweets.

On the final day, a long procession is taken out with the images of Gauri and Lord Shiva to a garden. People in large number come forward to dance and sing traditional songs related to the departure of Gauri to Her husband’s house.

The grand ceremony of Gangaur comes to an end with the immersion of all idols in a pond or well.

Significance of Gangore festival: Devotees celebrate Gangaur with great zeal and devotion.

They worship Goddess Parvati/Gauri to receive Her graceful blessing for a bountiful spring that’s full of harvest, and also for marital harmony.

Married women offer prayers to the goddess to bless their husbands with good luck, health, and long life. Unmarried girls worship the Goddess to get married soon.

Legend of Gangaur festival: Gangaur has an interesting Vrat Katha (story) which narrates, once upon a time Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvati and Narad Muni went out to take a tour of earth.

When they reached a nearby forest, the arrival news of the divine guests spread like wildfire.

While the women of higher sects got busy preparing delicious food for the deities, the women of lower sects came with their offerings and worshiped them.

Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Narad Muni were delighted to have their food, and Goddess Parvati happily blessed all the women by sprinkling the “suhagras”.

Later, the women of the higher sects came with the food.

When the deities had finished eating, Lord Shiva asked His consort what blessings are you going to give to these ladies, as “suhagras” is already given to lower class women.

To this, Goddess Parvati replied that she would bless these groups of women with her own blood.

Saying that She scratched the tip of Her finger and sprinkled Her blood on these women.

Since then, the womenfolk of these regions started celebrating this day with great zeal and devotion.

Summary: Gangaur is a colorful and important festival of the people of Rajasthan which is observed throughout the state in honor of Goddess Gauri /Parvati, the very manifestation of Shakti.

The womenfolk in various parts of Central and Western India, majorly Rajasthan celebrates this auspicious festival with grand ceremonies.

The ancient festival is celebrated with varying rituals and traditions in different parts of Rajasthan.

Tourist from all over the world gathers during this occasion to witness this popular festival.

All major cities of this state organize Gangaur mela or fair for the entertainment of locals and foreigners.

The ceremony concludes with a grand event.

On that day womenfolk carry out a grand procession with great pomp and pageantry while carrying the beautified idols of Shiva and Gauri on their heads.

Throughout this festive period, they eat only one meal a day and worship the deities with pure heart to bless their husband with successful, healthy, and long life.

Gangaur : The Favourite Festival Of Women

Gangaur festival is one of the most colourful and prominent festivals of Rajasthan. Along with Rajasthan, Gangaur is also celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Gujarat.

As the name suggests, Gangaur-Gana stands for Lord Shiva and Gaur for Gauri or Parvati.

The festival is celebrated in the glory of the companionship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Both married and unmarried women take part in the festival vigorously.

Married women worship Gauri for their husbands’ well-being and happiness, whereas unmarried women worship her to find a doting husband.

Goddess Parvati is considered the epitome of grace, wife, marital love, and perfection.

Hence, Gangaur holds a lot of importance for women.

Mythological Significance of Gangaur Festival

There’s an interesting Vrat Katha behind the Gangaur celebration, which narrates Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati went on a small trip accompanied by Narad Muni.

When they reached the nearby forest, everybody got excited and happy upon the arrival of the divine guest. Women of the low class came with their offerings and worshipped them.

Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, and Narad Muni enjoyed and relished the food. Goddess Parvati was extremely happy with the warm welcome and blessed the women by sprinkling the suhagras on them.

After some time, women of the upper class came with their offerings and worshipped Shiva and Gauri. Both Goddess Gauri and Lord Shiva happily ate all the delicious dishes.

Once they finished eating, God Shankara asked Gauri what would she bless them as every bit of suhagra was over while sprinkling on the previous group of women.

To which Parvati cut her finger and sprinkled her blood on this group of women.

Since then, the festival of Gangaur has been celebrated with full devotion and fervour by the women to appease Goddess Gauri and Lord Shiva and seek their blessings.

Gangaur Festival : Puja Timings of Gauri Tritiya

• Gangaur Puja: Friday, March 24,
• Tritiya Tithi Begins – March 23,  at 06:20 PM
• Tritiya Tithi ends – March 24,  at 04:59 PM,

The Gangaur festival starts on the first day of Chaitra and is celebrated for the next 18 days. Gangaur  will fall in the Krittika Nakshatra as per the Hindu calendar.

Another mythological story associated with Gangaur states that Goddess Parvati had observed atonement to win over Lord Shiva.

As a result of her penance, she got married to Lord Shiva.

Later, when she came to meet her parents, she blessed the women and girls there with marital bliss. After 18 days, she was given a grand farewell by her family on her departure.

Since then, it has been a ritual in Gangaur to worship Goddess Parvati and to bid her goodbye.

Fun Gangaur Celebrations

The colourful, lively, and vibrant affair of the Gangaur festival lasts for 18 days!

The celebration reaches its peak during the last three days when women participate in the procession dressed up as Gauri. They carry ornamented idols of Gauri on their heads, accompanied by Local bands and folk music.

Idols of Gauri are made of clay for the festival, and Wooden Isar Gangaur is also widely seen.

Adding glory to these grandeur celebrations are elephants, chariots, and bullock carts decorated to royalty.

Rajasthan is a state which celebrates Gangaur to the zenith. In the Pink City Jaipur, the procession starts from Zenani Deodi and moves along Tripoli Bazaar, Chaugan Stadium, connecting to Talkatora.

Whereas, in the city of lakes, the celebration includes a boat procession concluding with a majestic display of fireworks.

Gangaur Festival Food: Fasting and Feasting

Women fast for 18 days during Gangaur and consume one meal a day during the fast.

The meal consists of sweets, milk, fruits, and various snacks prepared at home.

Whereas, the options are endless for the ones feasting, as there are a variety of food items to relish.

Mehendi on hands and feet is a part of Traditional Gangaur, so women keep varied designs of Mehendi including floral design, geometric shape, peacock design, or Sun/Moon. Ghevar, kheer, barfi, and multiple other savouries and sweet snacks are available.

Sweets are also offered as prasad or to the devotees after the puja.

Rituals of Gangaur Pooja and Festival

On this day, women wake up early, bathe and worship the clay deities. Also, they light lamps, offer flowers and sweets.

It is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati reunited on this day after the temporary long sacrament.

Women take circles of the holy bonfire, pick up some burnt ashes, and soak barley and wheat. The seeds germinate by the time the festival starts.

On the 7th day after Holi, unmarried girls carry the Ghudlias on their heads.

(Ghudlias are earthen pots with numerous holes that have a burning lamp kept inside them.)

Gauri’s Departure

Girls and women dress up the idols, married women carry Goddess Gauri’s idol on their heads and sing departure songs in the procession held during auspicious hours.

The first two days, the Idol of Devi Parvati is brought back home.

On the third and the last day of the procession, women move the idols placed on their heads.

On this day, Bridegroom-Shankara accompanies his bride Devi Parvati to heaven.

A teary farewell is given by devotees, hoping to celebrate Gangaur with more vigour and grandeur coming year

Harvest Festival

Gangaur is also a celebratory festival that marks the arrival of Spring and Harvest.

It is altogether a very grand and colourful event.

Many tourists from around the world gather to watch the festivities, decorations, processions, and rituals!

We wish you all a very Happy Gangaur. Enjoy Spring, festivities and relish on the delicacies prepared during the festival.

May Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati bless you with good health and prosperity.

Gangaur Festival

Time   Hindu Month of Chaitra (July-August).

Venue            All over Rajasthan

Significance Dedicated to Gauri (Parvati), the companion of Lord Shiva.

Highlights      Unmarried females pray for good husbands while the married ones worship to be blessed with a happy married life.

Gangaur Festival is celebrated throughout the state of Rajasthan.

It is one of the most colorful and most important festivals of the state.

The Gangaur Festival of Rajasthan is dedicated to Gauri (Parvati), the companion of Lord Shiva.

All across the state, the womenfolk with great enthusiasm and dedication observe the festival.

Gangaur Festival takes place in the Hindu month of Chaitra (July-August).

The word Gangaur is used to signify Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

The first part of the word Gan means Lord Shiva and the second part Gaur signifies Goddess Gauri or Parvati (symbolizing marital bliss).

Goddess Gauri is considered to be an epitome of marital love.

Unmarried females pray to her to be blessed with good husbands.

At the same time, married women worship her to be blessed with a happy married life and to seek good health and a long life for their husbands.

Starting from the first day of the Hindu month Chaitra (the day following Holi), the festival goes on for 18 days.

For a newly married girl, fasting for full 18 days of the first Gangaur festival after her marriage is absolutely compulsory.

During the Gangaur Festival females apply mehendi (henna) on their hands and feet.

On the seventh day after Holi, the unmarried girls spend the evening carrying ghudlias (earthen pots with a number of holes all around) on their heads with a lamp burning inside them and singing songs.

Roaming around in the streets, they collect small presents of cash, sweets, jaggery, ghee, oil etc.

The ritual of carrying ghudlias in the evening goes on for 10 days i.e. till the end of the Gangaur Festival.

On the last day, girls break their pots and throw the debris into a well or a tank.

The high point of the festival is during the last three days.

Womenfolk (both married as well as unmarried) beautify the statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri (Parvati).

In the afternoon, a procession is taken to a garden, tank or a well, at an auspicious hour.

In the procession, the married women carry the images of Isar and Gauri on their heads.

History Of Gangaur Festival

Parvati or Gauri, the consort of Shiva is a symbol of virtue and devotion and considered a legendary figure for married women. The festival is held in her honour.

Gangaur is the most important local festival in Rajasthan and is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

The common belief associated with the festival is that if unmarried girls observe the rituals of this festival they get a nice life partner of their choice.

And if the married women observe the same, she is said to be blessed with a happy married life and long life of their husbands.

The celebrations in Jaipur and Udaipur have a unique charm and attraction.

Gangaur Celebrations

The celebrations begins almost a fortnight before the main day of the festival.

Girls worship the goddess all through the fortnight before the main event day.

A group of women from the town hold a procession and carry colorful idols of Gauri.

Many people from nearby villages too come to take part in the procession and roam around with them from village to village.

A sense of romance is felt in the atmosphere as the occasion also gives an opportunity to tribal men and women to come in contact with each other, to meet and interact freely; this help them to select partners of their choice and marrying by eloping. It is the unique thing about this festival.

The festival begins from the first day of Chaitra or from the next day of Holi and continues for 18 days.

The festival begins with the custom of gathering ashes from the Holi Fire and burying the seeds of barley in it.

After it, the seeds are watered everyday awaiting the germination.

It is mandatory for a newly-wedded girl to observe the full course of 18 days of the festival and keep fast to ensure her marriage do well.

Even unmarried girls fast for the full period of the 18 days and eat only one meal a day.

Gauri’s Departure

The idols of Gauri and Isar are dressed in new attires and bejeweled with sparkling ornaments especially made for the occasion.

The beautifully decorated statues looks like they are brought to life by these girls and married women.

The idols of Isar and Gauri placed on the heads of married women are taken in a procession in the afternoon, to a garden, bawdi or johad or well. 

Vidaai songs are sung as Gauri departs to her husband’s house.

The idol of Gauri was offered water by the ladies present in the procession, they then comes back.

On the final day, the procession came to an end with the Visarjaan of all the idols in the waters of a tank or a well.

The women bid farewell to Gauri and return back towards their home with teary eyes and in this way Gangaur Festival comes to an end.

Gangaur Festival, Rajasthan-Learn about the Festival of Marriage and Love

Gangaur festival is richly celebrated by the female folks of the state.

This is a festival, which celebrates love and marriage and is dedicated to Goddess Gauri.

The married women worship the goddess for the prosperity and well-being of their husbands.

The unmarried women worship for finding a good husband in the future.

Are you willing to enjoy the culture of the land? The best time to visit the state is during festivals.

For more attractive festivals of the land, read our Famous Colourful Fairs Festivals of Rajasthan.

Mythology related to Gangaur Festival

Gana is Shiva and Gauri is Parvati.

The word ‘Gangaur’ signifies Lord Shiva and Parvathi together.

It is said that Lord Parvati attracted Lord Shiva by dedicated meditation and devotion.

Lord Shiva, who was impressed by Lord Parvati, married her.

Later, Lord Preservationist to her parental place to meet her parents.

While there, she blessed her friends with blissful marriage.

She stayed for 18 days and on the last day, a grand farewell was conducted for Lord Parvati and Lord Shiva came down to earth to escort her to home.

Time of Celebration

The festival is celebrated for 18 days.

The festival starts immediately after Holi festival (festival of lights).

The upcoming celebration starts on 21^st March of  and ends on 8^th April .

If you are staying for the complete festival, spend a few days trying a few other activities too.

Read our exclusive blog, best Experiences You Can Only Have in Rajasthan, India

Explore: Top 10 Tourist Places in North India for Winters

Place of Celebration

The festival is celebrated throughout the state.

However, the celebrations are very grand in a few destinations like Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Nathdwara and others.

If you are willing to enjoy all the destinations of the festival, take our exclusive Rajasthan tours,

Rituals and Celebrations of the Day

The women of the region dress up in the traditional attire and wear jewels.

They pray to almighty for welfare of their consort, every morning and evening for 18 days.

Idols of Lord Shiva and Lord Preservative purchased from locals artisans.

They are decorated as pleased and placed in a wicker basket filled with flowers and grass.

Wheat is sown in small earthen pots.

The wheat grass is an important element of this festival.

Decorated water pots are also used to decorate the houses during this festival.

Newly married women fast for whole day, for 18 days. Unmarried women fast too, but they can eat one meal a day.

On the 7^th day, unmarried women bring burning lamps inside a clay pot (the decorated water pot), on their head.

They sing traditional songs as they hold the pot on their head.

Elder family members bless them and offer gifts to them.

On the 17^th day, parents of married women send gifts, clothes, jewelry and other items to their daughter’s house.

The daughter wear that dress, apply henna and celebrate the last day of the festival.

On the 18^th day, a grand procession is conducted, where a large statue of Goddess Gauri is decorated and taken through the city.

The entire population of pilgrims follow the procession along with local bands.

Women bring the water pots on their head to the river bank.

The earthen pots are broken near the river and idols are immersed into the water.

In tribal community, this day is considered as the match-fixing day.

Men and women interact with each other and pick their life partner on this day.

In Udaipur

In Udaipur, you can enjoy procession on boats on Pichola Lake.

You can find many women walking as they balance several pitchers on their head.

The procession ends on the bank of the river.

By evening, you will find many fireworks decorating the sky.

The grand festival takes place for three days and it is celebrated along with Mewar Festival.

In Jaipur

The procession of the last day starts from City Palace’s Zanani Deodhi and ends at Talkatora after passing through Tripolia bazaar, Gangauri bazaar, Chotti Chaupar and Chaugan stadium.

During the processions, you can find goddess statues taken in palanquins.

In addition, you can find many elephants, bullock carts and chariots as a part of the procession.

Folk dance and music celebrations are conducted from 4 in the evening.

In Jodhpur

This festival is called as Dhinga Gavar in Jodhpur. Instead of Lord Gauri, the locals worship a form of Lord Shakti, Lord Dhinga Gavar.

In this festival, the locals worship either clay or wooden statues and the celebration extends for just 16 days.

On the final day, a procession takes place through the main markets and public areas, as the locals assemble to worship the deity.

Grand celebrations take place at specific locations. Statues of the goddess is decorated with kilograms of gold and dry fruit powder is served to the deity.

Fancy dress competitions, folk dance and music performances and others will be conducted.

Pushkarna Brahmin families’ married women beat unmarried men with a stick, as a form of blessing for a happy married life in the future.

In Jaisalmer

This festival is celebrated with more importance to cultural activities in Jaisalmer.

You can enjoy fancy dress competitions, folk performances, processions, traditional music fiesta and much more.

Rituals and processions are quite similar to the other regions of the state.

If you are visiting Jaisalmer, do not leave the region without taking a camel safari.

In Bikaner

The festival is celebrated for 18 days.

Women participate in processions, which takes place numerous times during the 18 days, very early in the morning.

Dance performances and other activities happen every day.

The best place to visit to enjoy this festival in Bikaner is Junagarh Fort.

Top activities to enjoy during the festival

1. Visit the temples, especially Shakti temples of the state to enjoy numerous rituals and special programs.
2. Take part in the procession and enjoy the local culture
3. Feasts are conducted in specific places. You can find many new dessert items in the menu, especially for this festival.
4. Women can experience having temporary tattoo made with myrtle paste, on the palms and feet.

Gangaur 

The festival of Gangaur holds its own importance in Hinduism.

It is performed by women in a few parts of India.

This festival is all about worshipping goddess Gauri for the sake of good married life.

Both married and unmarried women keep fast for 18 days for half of the day.

Gangaur is celebrated in Chaitra month, according to the Hindu calendar (March-April), every year. 

What does Gangaur (Gauri Puja) mean?

Who doesn’t want to have a partner like lord Shiva and goddess Parvati? The love story of Shiva-Parvati is famously known among Hindus.

There are few festivals where Lord Shiva is worshipped by Hindu women for the blessing of a partner like him.

Gangaur festival is among one them, but here, goddess Parvati is worshipped for a long life of marriage and husband.

Gangaur is comprised of “Gan”, which refers to lord Shiva and “Gaur” refers to goddess Gauri and is performed by both married and unmarried women. 

What is the story behind Gangaur (Gauri Puja)?

Though the Ganguar festival shows the purity and austerity love between Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, it is believed that Gauri was successful in drawing the attention of lord Shiva and won over him as her husband through her immense love, meditation and devotion towards him.

But there are different versions of Gauri Vrat Katha, and among them, one of the versions says that once goddess Parvati visited her parent’s house during the time of Gangaur.

Later, when the time of Parvati’s return to her husband Lord Shiva’s house came, Shiva came to accompany her back home.

At that time, the goddess Gauri was gloriously send-off by her parents, and that is said to be one of the reasons for celebrating the Gangaur festival. 

Why it is important to celebrate the Gangaur festival?

Gangaur is the festival of Gauri’s winning over Lord Shiva as her husband with her great perseverance and devotion. Gangaur is performed by both married and unmarried womenfolk with great zeal and devotion to the goddess Gauri/Parvati to seek the blessing of the harvest and also for marital harmony.

However, this festival marks a special significance for unmarried women. On the contrary, unmarried women also take part in the blessing of a good husband and also for a prosperous married life ahead.

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How Gangaur festival is celebrated in Rajasthan?

Gangaur is one of the important colour festivals of Rajasthan and is widely celebrated in Bikaner, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Nathdwara.

In these places, people prepare an idol of Gauri and Shiva.

Then a procession takes place with the idol of goddess Gauri which is followed by fireworks.

On the other hand, women are traditionally dressed in the finest jewellery, adorning their hands with mehandi and can be seen balancing brass pitchers on their heads.

In Jaipur, Gangaur is important to celebrate for newly-wed women. Folk dance, song, games and cultural events are also performed with delicious Rajasthan cuisines. Apart from this, it is also celebrated in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal. 

Conclusion

Gangaur is a most awaited festival for both married and unmarried women in Rajasthan.

During these 18 days of celebration, women keep fast for a period of 16 days and are allowed to have a one-time meal.

If you want to eyewitness the best Gauri festival, then you should visit Rajasthan and get lost in this colourful and mesmerising festival.

At this festival, a person can have an experience of Rajasthan culture with amazing Rajasthani events and cuisines. 

Gangaur Festival in Rajasthan – Culture, History & Celebration

What is Gangaur festival? – It is a vibrant and joyful festival celebrated in Rajasthan, India.

The festival is celebrated everywhere with a little or large population of the Marwari community.

The Gangaur festival in Rajasthan has a special place in Jaipur’s tourist circuit.

Gangaur Festival History

It’s a festival of marital bliss or Saubhagya.

It is believed that on this day Lord Shiva blessed Goddess Parvati his wife with saubhagya and Goddess Parvati blessed women with marital bliss.

It has been celebrated in the whole of Rajasthan from prehistoric times and religious processions are carried out on the eve of Gangaur in major cities like Jaipur and Udaipur.

When is Gangaur celebrated?

It is celebrated in March April month just after Holi and it commences after the 16th day of rituals. According to the Hindu calendar Gangaur festival is celebrated on the third day of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra Month.

What does Gangaur mean?

Gana in Sanskrit means people and Gaur symbolizes Gauri, Goddess Paravati.

Here Gangaur means the devotion of people towards Gauri and Lord Shiva as the festival is celebrated in every household.

What is the religious significance of the Gangaur Festival?

It is a festival of marital bliss.

Unmarried girls follow rituals for 16 days and worship Gangaur for being blessed with a good husband.

Married women celebrate it for long life and prosperity of their husbands.

It is necessary for newlywed women to worship in the first year of their marriage in Rajasthan.

How is the Gangaur Festival celebrated?

1. On the next day of the Holi festival, girls and women make Isar (Shiva) and Gangaur (Paravati) from the mud of ponds the mud statues are established with full rituals at a place in any home of the neighbourhood.
2. Isar and Gangaur are dressed in beautiful clothes and are worshiped using flowers, water, and grass.
3. For 16 days ladies sing melodious songs of devotion and worship Shiva Parvati in the early morning for prosperous and happier married life.
4. Ladies get ready in traditional Rajasthani clothes and ornaments.
5. Newlywed girls have to wear a red Chunri (a scarf meant for happy married life).
6. In the morning Isar and Gangaur are worshipped, in the evening they are offered water and delicacies.
7. Ladies dress younger girls as Dulha Dulhan (Bride and Groom) on the 8th day. The fest commences on the 16th day.
8. On the 16th day, Isar Paravati are taken out in the form of a religious procession. Women wear colorful clothes and sing devotional songs in the procession.

Gangaur Celebration in Jaipur

Celebrations in Jaipur are world–famous for its fair and royal procession. 

Gangaur ki Sawari or Ride of Gangaur processions start from Zenana Deodhi of City Palace where the royal family members worship Shiv and Parvati.

Then it ends as a fair near Talkatora traveling through Tripolia Bazar, Choti Chaupad and Gangauri Bazar.

Local artists perform dances in front of the procession, Men wearing colorful turbans or Pagdi and ladies wearing traditional Indian colorful dresses from nearby villages also come to be a witness of the carnival.

The best spots to see and click pictures of vibrant Gangaur Mela are in Tripolia Bazar of the walled city.

Sitting arrangements are made on the roof of the verandah of the market.

Gangaur Festival Recipes-Food

It is a custom to eat and distribute Jaipur’s traditional sweet Ghevar.

People eat ghevar and gift them to their sisters and daughters on the eve.

Where to buy the best Ghevar in Jaipur?

Since Ghevar is mostly used during Gangaur Puja and Celebration, so here are the best picks of restaurants from my side.

• Lakshmi Mishthan Bhandar, Jouhari Bazar
• Sodhani Sweets, Tonk Road
• Sambhar Feeni, Jouhari Bazar
• Bombay Mishthan Bhandar, Sanganeri Gate
• Kanji Sweets, Station Road
• Sweet House, Kishanpole Bazar

Gangaur Festival

Are you aware of one of the most celebrated festivals of Rajasthan- GANGAUR? The festival attracts several tourists every year to witness the grandeur and royalty of Rajasthan along with the famous traditional folk music and rich desi culture.

Gangaur Festival  Date?

Gangaur celebration took place in the month of March or April, starting from a day after Holi and continuing for eighteen days.

For the year .

Gangaur will be celebrated from the 8th of March to the 24th of March. 

Holi is another festival celebrated with utmost excitement in Rajasthan.

Why is Gangaur Festival Celebrated & Gangaur Puja Done?

Gangaur Festival is all about worshiping Goddess Gauri and her followers.

On the auspicious occasion of Gangaur women either married or unmarried keep fasts to adore the pious bond of love and marriage. 

Married women pray for the growth and well-being of their husbands while unmarried women urge Goddesses to find them a better half.

Gangaur is a festival of grace, colors, traditions, and beauty.

One of the amazing factors about Gangaur is that members of the royal families of Rajasthan also participate in festivities along with the general public.

So, during Gangaur you will come across the true essence of Rajasthan.

People of Rajasthan celebrate Gangaur with great enthusiasm and zeal.

Thousands of tourists including foreigners visit Rajasthan to witness the magnificent festival of Gangaur.

What is the Significance of the Gangaur Festival?

Gangaur represents Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati together.

Gana signifies Lord Shiva and Gauri is the name of Goddess Parvati.

So, now we know how the mix-matching of names started.

The tradition behind this festival is extreme devotion and dedication shown by Goddess Gauri to win Lord Shiva’s love.

Seeing her affection towards him, Shiva got fascinated and married Gauri.

Later Gauri visits her maternal home and blessed her friends with marital bliss and stays for 18 days, on the day of farewell large celebration took place, and Shiva down to take her home.

How are Gangaur Festival Celebrated & Rituals Performed?

The first and foremost tradition of Gangaur is collecting ashes from the Holy fire in earthen pots (Kunda) and sowing seeds of wheat and barley in them. 

After seven days women make colorful idols of Gauri and Isar (Shiva and Parvati) while enchanting Rajasthani folk songs.

In some families’ idols are preserved for years and on auspicious occasions, they are decorated and painted.

A rally is taken out by the unmarried girls with a diya placed inside an earthen pot called Ghudlia on the evening of the seventh day.

While roaming around girls are blessed with small gifts like sweets, Jaggery, little currency, ghee or oil, clothes, and Jewellery.

This continues for the rest of the days and on the last day of the festival earthen pots are broken.

For all 18 days, newlywed women keep fast for the whole day while other women keep fast by eating a single time in a day.

In the last three days, the festive vibe reaches its peak.

These days’ women put up their best by dressing up, putting on jewelry, adorning their hands with Heena (Mehandi), and also decorating their idols for Gangaur Puja.

Sinjara is sent by the parents of married women it consists of sweets, clothes, jewelry, and other decorative items for their daughters.

The final day of Gangaur is grand, several tourists and locals gather to witness the procession or parade of large no of women carrying Gauri and Isar idols on their heads to the lake, river, or garden, and farewell to Gauri and Isar is bided by immersing their idols in the water.

Processions are quite colorful and enriched with Rajasthani cultural folk songs and dance.

Many local bands also join the parade.

Gangaur is celebrated in the entire Rajasthan, but one can have the most heart-throbbing experience of Gangaur in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner.

5 Best Places Where Gangaur is Celebrated:

below are the cities where Gangaur is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm.

1. Udaipur- City of Lakes

If you are touring Udaipur city during the festivities of Gangaur then consider yourself lucky because you are going to witness many different things than usual.

Udaipur capital of the Mewar is adorable at this time.

How is Gangaur Celebrated in Udaipur?

The city of the lake has a ghat named after the festival Gangaur. Gangaur Ghat is the shore of Lake Pichola which connects it to a prominent part of the city.

A Reminiscent procession of Gangaur starts from the city palace with members of the royal family and several others with colorful idols, marching towards the lake’s other side in boats to meet the community of another side, continuing the age-old legacy.

This magnificent festival is joined by many foreign and local tourists also.

In the wake of a large number of footfalls, the Rajasthan tourism department extended the celebration for three days by introducing the Mewar festival.

The festival is made more exciting by hosting competitions like best attire, and best idols.

2. Jaipur- The Pink City

In Jaipur city colorful procession begins from Zanani Deodhi in the city palace and March through Tripolia market, chaugan stadium to the final station Talkatora. 

How Gangaur Celebrated in Jaipur?

In the procession, you will find idols kept in palanquins.

You can also spot elephants, chariots, and bullock carts enhancing grandness in the rally.

The city also organizes an attractive fair for all 18 days that sells all kinds of souvenirs, and traditional masterpieces; it also consists of delicious Rajasthani cuisine, interesting activities like games, traditional folk music, and dance, and many cultural events.

3. Bikaner

In Bikaner also a large number of women participate in grand processions dancing and singing Rajasthani folk songs related to the festival. You can get the best glance at the parade from Junagarh fort.

4. Jodhpur- The Blue City

Gangaur is named Dhinga Gavar in Jodhpur. Dhinga Gavar is another manifestation of Goddess Parvati.

It starts from Poonam (full moon day) of month fagun and lasts till Teej (the third day after the new moon). 

How Gangaur festival celebrated in Jodhpur?

Huge processions of the Isar idol is carried out through the markets of Jodhpur whereas Dhinga Gavar idols decorated with typical Rajasthani costume and gold jewelry are placed at the 11 important spots of old city Jodhpur.

Women of Pushkarna Brahmin families dress up in fancy dress costumes as Hindu Devi-devtas, police, saints, and patrol the whole night protecting statues of Dhinga Gavar with a stick in hand.

If any young unmarried man comes near the woman and got bitten by bait (stick) in hand is believed to get married soon.

Therefore, the festival is also known as Baintmaar Teej in Jodhpur.

5. Jaisalmer- The Golden City

In Jaisalmer, the festival looks more vibrant as the celebration is done with more importance to the cultural activities such as folk performances, traditional music fiestas, fancy dress events, and much more.

How is Gangaur celebrated in Jaisalmer?

Processions are more royal in Jaisalmer as it takes place inside the fort accompanied by colorfully decorated elephants, camels, traditional folk dancers, and singers.

The royal family also participates in the parade along with the natives and their idols. Many food fiestas are also arranged specially for the festival.

So, are you ready to enjoy a colorful festival of Rajasthan and tap your feet into the rhythm of Rajasthani traditional folk music? Be prepared to witness the grandness and royalty of the state during Gangaur .

Don’t forget to try all the finger-licking dishes of Rajasthan. Rajasthan state enriched with rich culture and grace awaits to welcome you.

Gangaur Puja

The Gangaur festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra.

The cultural extravaganza associated with it starts on the first day of the Chaitra month.

Gangaur is among the most colorful festivals of India that is highly popular and widely celebrated.

It is celebrated throughout the different parts of the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and now even Assam with great ardor and devotion.

It is a celebration and gratification of the limitless love that womanhood has to bestow on earth and existence in itself.

The Gangaur festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra.

The cultural extravaganza associated with it starts on the first day of the Chaitra month. It is followed by the celebration of Holi.

The word “Gangaur” comprises of two words – “Gan” and “Gaur”.

“Gan” is synonymous with Lord Shiva whereas “Gaur” or “Gavar” means Goddess Gauri or Parvati, the consort of Shiva.

Gangaur is also celebrated as a festival of harvest, love, and nuptial harmony.

The commemoration of the festival can be traced back a 100 years to the reign of the Rajputana rulers.

Even today it is observed with the same reverence and glory in the state of Rajasthan and all across the country.

It usually lasts for 16 or 18 days.

he Gangaur Puja is held in honor of Goddess Parvati. Maa Parvati is the symbol of Saubhagya (marital bliss) and is he embodiment of excellence and marital love.

The unwedded worship Gauri with the hope to be blessed with the perfect partner.

The married women, on the other hand, pray for the health, longevity, and prosperity of their beloved spouses.

Deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, the preparations and planning for the festival commences days before the festival.

Primarily, five idols are sculpted depicting Goddess Gauri (Gangaur), Isarji, Kaniram-ji, Rova-bai and Dholanmala. Kaniram (brother) and Rova (sister) are siblings of Isarji. Dholanmala is a young girl.

Some communities consider only two idols in reverence to Isar-Gangaur.

Originally, these idols were made out of a mixture of ash (Holika Dhayan) and mud (cowdung cakes), but now this composition has been replaced by wood and clay and are mostly crafted by the local potters of the “Matheran” and “Usta” communities.

Some deify the stones made of the ashes as “Kachchi Gangaur”.

The idols are available in various sizes and are decked with costumes, jewellery, turbans and crowns.

The ones made of clay are placed in a basket with grass and flowers.

The preparation dawns when the seeds of wheatgrass (jawara) are sown on the day of “Sheet Ashtmi” in traditionally designed earthen pots.

This grass is later used in adulation on the final day of the festival.

The Gangaur festival in Rajasthan continues for sixteen days.

A newly wedded girl is expected to observe the rituals for the entire course of sixteen days.

During the festival, few ceremonious conventions are followed:- 

• Wake up early in the morning 
• Getting ready and arranging Dubh (a kind of grass) for the Puja. 
• Idols are drawn on the paper and then the girls are supposed to put 16 small dots with Kum Kum, Kajal, and Mehendi as a depiction of the auspicious state of wifehood.
• If dubh is not available, one can devoutly water the seeds with a silver ring.

On the evening of the 7th day, ladies carry out a procession to the sound of drums, walking with Ghudlias on their heads. Ghudlias are earthen pots with innumerable holes and a lamp inside.

During this parade, they sing many songs of joy and cavort to the beat of their hearts.

They also receive gifts from their elders.

From the 8th day onwards, the clay or wooden idols placed in the basket are worshipped.

However, some communities don’t keep the basket.

The females offer water to the Goddess while observing a fast till afternoon.

They then sing the traditional folk songs (Geet) with the accompaniment of rituals.

Certain devotional songs have stories of origin of the festival and are composed of specific rituals.

In the evening, they offer sweets as an oblation to the Goddess Gangaur.

The newly weds must observe fast throughout the festival except for one meal a day.

Unmarried also observe fast at least for a day during the festival.

It is mandatory for the ones observing fast, to recite the story about the Gangaur festival and learn how it is related to the Puja. 

Sindhara or Sinjara

On this day, families get together and exchange gifts.

It’s the day of the women in the house.

The elders give their daughters and daughters-in-law various gifts such as clothes, jewellery, bangles, bindis, sweets, and much more.

The gifts are also sent to the son-in-law’s house.

Women adorn their feet and hands with henna, don the gifted outfits and then, celebrate with their families.

On this day, women are made to feel as if they’re the indisputable queens of their respective families.

Bindoras or Bandoras

The main vibrancy of the festival lies in the Bandoras which are a kind of “kitty-parties” for those involved in the celebrations.

Delicious food is cooked along with desserts.

Relatives and friends are invited and the girls dance, sing, play, and act out the various facets of the goddess Parvati.

The main charm is imbued in the devotional songs.

These songs are molded to the tunes of Marwari folk music and Hindi evergreen hits.

Bidding farewell to the Gangaur festival

The concluding three days are indeed magnificent as it is marked by colorful and spiritually uplifting rituals and festivities.

Finally, the day arrives when all bid farewell to the Goddess Gauri.

This day is also known as “Gauri” or “Gangaur” or “Saubhagya Teej” which is very popular in Hindu culture.

Generally, Teej refers to the third day after the rise of the new moon and the day after the full moon.

Gangaur Puja is performed with zeal celebrating the bond of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Women embrace themselves in bright hues of traditional choli (attires) and glistening ornaments, likened to the idols of the goddesses.

In the afternoons extending to evenings, women set out in processions, taking the idols on their heads to a nearby lake or pond to perform the Gangaur Puja one last time before immersing the idols in water.

They sing “Vidaai” songs of Gauri departing to her abode with Isarji with their eyes moist with tears of bliss. With this the festival of Gangaur comes to an end.

Legend and Myth associated with Gangaur Puja

After Goddess Sati immolated herself, Lord Shiva felt tormented and bereaved.

The Goddess took 108 subsequent births to rejuvenate Shiva.

Her 108th incarnation was as Goddess Parvati.

The invocation of Parvati’s blessing during the festival is believed to bring about perpetual marital bliss.

As per Hindu texts, Goddess Parvati was attracted to Lord Shiva and prayed day and night for him. Impressed by her devotion, Lord Shiva decided to marry her.

The Gangaur festival revolves around Shiva escorting Parvati from her parental home, followed by a grand farewell. Some tribes look upon Gangaur Puja as an auspicious occasion to choose their perfect life-partner.

What Rituals are Performed During Gangaur?

Gangaur is one of the most important and popular festivals of Rajasthan.

It is an 18 days affair that is observed to honor the Goddess Gauri, consort of Lord Shiva.

The festivity of Gangaur starts from the following day of the Holi and ends on the third day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha.

Significance of Gangaur

Gangaur is celebrated to honor Goddess Gauri or Parvathi, consort of Lord Shiva.

According to legends, Goddess Gauri or Parvathi observed severe penance to win the love of Lord Shiva.

She worshipped Lord Shiva with great devotion and as a result got him as her husband.

Later, she returned to meet her parents and there blessed her friends with marital bliss.

After staying for 18 days, while escorted by Lord Shiva at home, she was given a grand farewell by her family.

Since then, the ritual of worshipping Goddess Gauri and bidding her adieu with a great procession is held.

Rituals of Gangaur

During Gangaur festival, womenfolk observe fast and worship Goddess Gauri. Gangaur Puja is done to have marital bliss, love and fertility in life.

The married woman seeks her blessing for the longevity and well-being of their husbands while Unmarried women seek her for getting a good life partner.

Here are the rituals that are performed in the auspicious Gangaur Muhurat.

• Clay images of Isar (Lord Shiva) and Gauri (Goddess Parvathi) are made and placed in the basket of flowers and grass.
• Wheat and barley seeds are germinated in the earthen pot and women sing Gangaur songs while performing Gangaur rituals.
• It is important for newly married women to keep fast for 18 days. Unmarried women can also fast for 18 days and eat meals once in a day.
• On the evening of seventh day after Holi, Unmarried women sing Gangaur songs and parade taking “Ghudlia” (earthen pot with lamps in it) on their head. They receive gifts, clothes and other items from their parents.
• On the second last day, women apply Mehndi or Heena on their feet and palm. Married women wear the clothes and jewellery that is gifted to them as “Sinjara” by their parents or parental home.
• For the last two days, a street procession is held by women, taking the images of Isar and gauri on their head. They sing the farewell songs of Gangaur and come back to their homes. On the final day, this procession is taken out to the well or tank where the girls break their earthen pots and submerge the images of Isar and gauri finally into the water.
• In the last evening of Gangaur celebration, dance and folk songs are performed.People eat rajasthani delicacies such as Ghewar and distribute it among their friends and relatives.

On the final day of Gangaur, grand street processions are held in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and different corners of Rajasthan.

The processions are accompanied by the royal families and the natives of the city where they celebrate and enjoy the most colorful event of Rajasthan.

Celebrating Gangaur

Gangaur is one of the most important festivals in Rajasthan.

This is also celebrated in many parts of Gujarat, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh.

As expected, any festival in Rajasthan is bright and colorful, but this festival celebrated by the beautiful and traditionally attired Rajasthani women to worship the Goddess Gowri is a substantial cultural treat.

Origin Of Gangaur

The Gangaur Festival is a celebration of the togetherness of the Godly couple Shiva and Gowri, as also the harvest season.

The name Gangaur is a combination of Gana for Shiva and Gowri or Parvathi, signifying worship of both. This festival has been carried on for centuries as per the Hindu traditions of the region.

It is celebrated in all parts of the state with slight variations as per the local customs.

As per Gangaur Story or Gangaur Katha, Goddess Parvathi is the embodiment of devotion, and by her long penance and devotion, she was able to get Lord Shiva to marry her.

During Gangaur, she goes to her parent’s home to seek blessings and spend happy times with her parents, relatives, and friends.

On the last day of the stay, she is fully dressed and given a grand farewell to return to her husband. In this context, Gowri Pooja is celebrated in this region.

This is also an auspicious time to fix marriages. This is practiced even in the tribal areas when the girls choose their partners.

Celebration of Gangaur

This auspicious festival is celebrated on the second day from Holy on Chaitra Masa, Shukla PakshaTritiya day, as per the Hindu Almanac, and is carried on for 16 days.

The first day is a day of fasting, which the women religiously observe.

After that, all women, both unmarried and married, perform the Pooja.

This is done for marital happiness and to seek God’s blessings.

The married women seek blessings for their husband’s health and welfare, and the unmarried women do the Pooja seeking blessings for getting suitable husbands.

The idols of Goddess Parvathi usually are made of clay.

Some might use freshly painted wooden images, or a few may use just photos of the Goddess for the Pooja.

Women start their preparations the previous night by applying Henna on their hands.

Then, they get up early in the morning of the festival, take an oil bath, get dressed in elegant new silk clothes, and get ready for the Pooja.

Then, all the pooja items like flowers, turmeric, kumkum, fruits, coconuts, camphor, incense sticks, and others are prepared.

At the final stage of the Pooja, special festival delicacies, which are favorite dishes of the Goddess, are offered as Nivedyam and then taken as Prasadam.

Gangaur festival is notable for its celebrations in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Nathdwara, and Bikaner. All of these cities are nicely connected by RSRTC buses of Rajasthan Roadways.

Gangaur Ghat is the main ghat to celebrate this festival on the banks of Lake Pichola in Udaipur.

This is a beautiful place for tourists who come to this city to enjoy the cultural beauty of the festivities.

This place is brimming with locals and tourists during this festival season.

Also, the Sunrise and sunset are divine sights worth watching from the ghat.

During the last day of Gangaur, the city’s attractively dressed women go in a procession with the decorated idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi for immersion in Lake Pichola.

The whole town is delightfully decorated and lighted up during this season.

It also coincides with the Mewar festival in this city.

Highlights of the Festival

During the 16-day-long festivities of the Gangaur Teej, several cultural programs are organized in all the cities and neighborhoods.

Goddess Parvathi is also known as the Teej Matha in many parts of Rajasthan and elsewhere. Women visit each other and exchange sweet delicacies and gifts.

It is a gala atmosphere during which women get dressed in colorful clothes.

The Newlyweds take up half-day fasting during this period, eating only one meal a day to fulfill their wishes from the Goddess Parvathi.

On the seventh day, young unmarried girls sing songs and carry earthen pots on their heads with a lamp lighted. They are blessed with lovely gifts from their parents and elders.

On the last day, married women are given gifts by their parents and brothers before returning to their husbands’ homes.

This is known as Sinjara, and the presents may include jewelry, clothes, and other items for the daughter and her family.

The festival’s last day sees the culmination of a long period of celebrations.

The Gods’ idols are taken in a procession to a public place, a lake, or a well for Visarjan or immersion of the idols.

Some people might do it in their homes if they have some facility for immersion.

About 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.

Gangaur Ghat

Gangaur Pooja Vidhi Samagri

Gangaur Pooja Samagri (material):

• Idols of Shiv and Parvati/ Photo/ Copy of Mandana
• Kumkum, Haldi, Rice, Mehndi, Kajal, Flowers, Paan, Supari, Doob(Grass), Moli, Diya
• Fal (prepared of wheat flour, ghee and jaggery/gud)
• Any sweets/ Halwa
• Jawara/Wheatgrass, Coins, Colorful cloth, Badhua/Spinach/ Phogli ki pindi (steamed and mashed), Glass of water.

Gangaur Pooja Vidhi:

1. Start the Gangaur Pooja by first by stepping inside the house where pooja is done with a pot of water and flower in it & then sing the song ‘Badiwala’.

It signifies asking Shivji (Isarji) and Parvatiji (Gauraji) to open the door so that we can do their Puja

2. Start by worshiping the jawara/ wheat grass in the pot. Apply kumkum and rice, tie moli around the jawara. 

On the pot put 16 dots of kumkum, followed by kajal then mehndi.

Pull out few jawaras/wheatgrass from the pot. Place the pot on the side by the idols/photo/mandana.

3. Make Ganeshji with supari and moli and place them in front of the idol/photo/mandana.
4. Put Tikis of Kumkum, Kajal & Mehandi.
   • Unmarried girls apply 16 dots of kumkum, kajal, mehndi.
   • Married women apply 8 dots of kumkum, kajal and mehndi.
5. Sprinkle water on idol/photo/copy of mandana, pretend to brush their (idols/photo/mandana) teeth with spinach stems that are tied with moli and then offer them in front of the idol/photo/mandana. Also offer halwa, puri, bathua pindi and fal (16 Fal for married and 8 for unmarried)
6. Perform the pooja of the idols/photo/mandana by applying kumkum, rice, mehndi, Moli, flowers and colorful cloth. Sing the song Uncho Chavro Chokhuto
7. Sing “Gor-Gor Gomati”; if possible with a partner or by yourself.       
8. Sing some Gangaur songs.
   • Links to Gangaur Songs: Coming Soon
9. Pick up few Jawaras in your hands and read/listen to the stories, then offer the jawaras back in front of the idol/photo/mandana.
10. Take the glass of water and pour it on the ground facing the Sun followed by making circles while continuously pouring water and singing “El Khel” song.
11. Bow your head in front of the idol/photo/mandana asking Shiv and Parvati to bestow their blessing on all the family members.
12. After completing the puja get few Fal and eat them as Prasad before having your food.

Gangaur Teej Festival Significance and Measures

Gangaur Teej is celebrated on the third day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra.

This year, the festival is on Friday, March 24. 

Gangaur festival is mainly celebrated to worship Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.

You can also do some measures on this day to please Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. These measures are as follows:

 1. According to Devi Bhagavat, if Mother Parvati is anointed with mango or sugarcane juice, Lakshmi and Saraswati never leave the house of such a devotee. There is the abode of wealth and knowledge.

 2. According to Shiva Purana, red and white figures of flowers to worship Lord Shiva, pleasure and salvation is obtained.

 3. Offer ghee to Mata Parvati and donate it. This relieves the patient of suffering and makes him healthy.

 4. By offering sugar to Mother Parvati, the devotee gets longevity. Offering milk and giving charity frees one from all kinds of sufferings. All kinds of problems are automatically eliminated by offering malpua and giving charity.

 5. Lord Shiva gets vehicle happiness by offering jasmine flowers. By worshiping Lord Shiva with linseed flowers, one becomes dear to Lord Vishnu.

 6. Lord Shiva’s Shami leaves to worship the salvation is obtained. If one worships with the flower of the vine, one gets a wife with auspicious characteristics. If one worships the flower of dhatura, Lord Shiva gives a worthy son, who brightens the name of the family. Dhatura with red stalks is considered auspicious in worship.

 7. If the stream of reed (sugarcane) juice is offered to Lord Shiva, all the pleasures are obtained. Offering Ganga water to Shiva brings both pleasure and salvation.

 8. According to Devi Bhagavat, if one anoints Mother Parvati with camphor, agaru (fragrant plant), saffron, musk and lotus water with Vedic recitation, all kinds of sins are destroyed and the seeker with little effort Only success is achieved.

 9. Juhi flowers to worship Lord Shiva in the house never lack of food. Worship with Durva increases life expectancy. Worship with flowers of Harsingar increases happiness and wealth.

 10. According to Devi Bhagavat, offering bananas to Mother Parvati and donating them keeps happiness and peace in the family. By offering honey and giving charity, wealth is obtained. Offering and giving of jaggery items destroys poverty.

 11. Offering rice to Lord Shiva can bring wealth. Offering sesame seeds destroys sins.

 12. If Mother Parvati is anointed with grape juice, the grace of Goddess remains on the devotees.

Gangaur Festival 

 Puja Vidhi For Gangaur

India is the only place in the world where there are a number of festivals and these are the things that make the country colourful. This is how Gangaur is one of the festivals celebrated in different parts of the country.

However, Gangaur is celebrated especially in Rajasthan by a community known as Marvadi.

This is not something new that you will see people celebrating in Rajasthan but you will notice.

The festival of Gangaur is celebrated in Uttar Pradesh (UP), Gujarat, and especially in Rajasthan.

Gangaur has been celebrated for centuries since the existence of Hinduism God and Goddess. 

The festival of Gangaur is celebrated in both states of India Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Rajasthan.

As we have explained to you in the above paragraph well.

In Uttar Pradesh, the festival of Gangaur celebration continues for three days. 

On the other hand, the celebration of Gangaour in Rajasthan is celebrated for 16 days having Gangaur Festival.

If you are looking for any puja to be done  will help you out with this.

Or you can book a pandit for Gangaur puja that will help you perform the whole puja as you ask to do.  

The Gangaur Festival Celebration In Rajasthan And Uttar Pradesh

However, the roots of the Gangaur festival are in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh (UP). But the people in both states of India celebrate the festival of Gangaur in different ways. If we see the people in Uttar Pradesh they celebrate the festival of Gangaur for three days. On the same side in Rajasthan, they celebrate the festival of Gangaur for 16 days. 

So, in this festival of Gangaur married women and unmarried women, both worship Lord Shiva and his wife Goddess Parvati.

A woman takes a couple of idols of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati Ji to worship them. 

The purpose of celebrating the festival of Gangaur Puja by unmarried women is to seek a meaningful relationship ahead.

On the other side of the coin, married women wish for their husbands.

And this process is done by worshipping the idols of the world’s best couple Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati Ji. 

Both women married and unmarried get ready by wearing jewellery they like to wear on the day.

Gangaur festival is celebrated by women for 16 days in Rajasthan. 

All The Samagri (items) For Gangaur Puja

This becomes foremost when it comes to the items 0r Samagri for Gangaur  Puja. However, I would need to have all the items and the Samagri (items).

That you can get it from anywhere and you can ask some experienced person for all those items from where to get them all. 

The best thing will be the one to ask pandit Ji for all those things.

You can book an online pandit for Gangaur puja.  is providing Pandit near me service for any of the pujas. 

Therefore, we have added all the items or the Samagri for Gangaur puja.

All these items you would need to have when performing Gangaur puja. 

Samagri (items) For Gangaur Puja

Check out all the items whether you have all these items or not. 

• Shiv Parvati Poster
• Kalash, Laung Ilaichi
• Haldi Ganth
• Gangajal
• Shringar
• Diya
• Panchmewa
• Gud
• Supari
• Kumkum
• Kalawa
• Ashtagandha
• Dhoop
• Pooja Batti
• Agarbatti
• Wheat
• Rice
• Kapoor
• Red Cloth
• Honey
• Chunri
• Angocha Cloth For Shivji
• Mehndi
• Kajal Katha Book.

The festival of Gangaur is also known as Gauri Gangaur Puja.

And the festival is a kind of worship to the Deity Durga.

Which is performed exceptionally throughout the Ganpati Utsav geographic region. 

The puja is also led to fulfilling the wishes of one.

So, these are some of the things that you would have known about the Gangaur festival. Though, all the things become so important for all of us to know about all these festivals. All these are one of the foremost festivals that make us know about all the festivals in Hinduism. 

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Benefits of Gangaur Festival.

• Gangaur festival to celebrate worshipping the Goddess Parvati pray for the husband’s long and healthy life and to receive conjugal bliss.
• Goddess Parvati gives a long, healthy, and prosperous life to devotees.
• Worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati together shower blessings on married couples.
• The women of the community celebrate Gangaur with tremendous fervour and devotion, asking Goddess Parvati/Gauri to provide them marital bliss as well as a bountiful spring full of harvest.
• Additionally, they implore the goddess to grant their family long lives and excellent health.
• Unmarried girls can also perform the Gangaur puja and Vrat to get a good husband.
• This Gangaur puja improves the relationship between families and couples.

Gauri Puja/ Gangaur

Gangaur or Gauri Puja is a significant festival of Hindus to worship Goddess Parvati.

It is a colorful festival celebrated with great pomp and show all over the country and especially in the state of Rajasthan.

Gangaur is a Hindi word that is formed by combining two words, ‘Gan’ meaning Lord Shiva and ‘Gaur’ is synonym for Goddess Parvati.

Gangaur or Gauri Puja is celebrated mainly by married women for the long life and prosperity of their husbands.

When it is celebrated?

The festival of Gangaur falls in the Chaitra month that is also the first month as per the Hindu calendar.

It starts with the first day of the month of Chaitra, that is, just after the festival of Holi and continues for 18 days.

According to the Gregorian calendar, Gauri Puja falls between the month of March and April.

Besides it also marks the end of chilling winter season and the start of spring season.

Significance of celebration

Gangaur or Gauri Puja is a primarily a festival to worship Goddess Parvati, who according to the Hindu mythology is regarded as the epitome of marital love, courage, excellence, power and strength.

During this 18 day long festivities, married women pray to Goddess Parvati for longevity, wealth and well-being of their husbands.

It is believed that girls who perform the Gangaur puja get desirable husbands.

It is believed that Goddess Parvati returned to her parent’s house during Gangaur to bestow the blessings of marital bliss to her friends.

On the last day of celebration therefore, a grand farewell is given to Goddess Parvati along with Lord Shiva, who came to escort Her.

Where it is celebrated?

Gangaur or Gauri Puja is a festival celebrated with enthusiasm primarily in Northern India. In the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana the celebrations are done a larger scale and the festivities are on a full swing.

Who celebrates it?

Gangaur is a popular Hindu festival for both married women and girls.

Married women in different parts of the country worship Goddess Parvati for the well-being of their husbands and families.

Unmarried girls also worship Parvati with dedication to get husband of their choice.

How it is celebrated?

During the 18-day long festival of Gangaur, women observe fast and eat just one meal every day.

They wear bright red colored clothes and worship the idol of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati made from the clay.

Women apply mehendi in their hands and dress up in new clothes and jewelry.

During the last three days, the bejewelled idols of Parvati and Shiva are taken around the city in colorful processions.

On the last day, the clay idols are immersed in the water and women pray to Goddess Parvati to come to their house every year.

Holiday

Gangaur is not declared as a Gazetted holiday in India.

However especially in the state of Rajasthan the celebrations slow down the functioning of businesses.

10 Lines on Gangaur Festival

Gangaur is a festival which is generally celebrated by married women in the states of Rajasthan and some parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

In this festival, married women worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

As the name gangaur says, ‘Gan’ means ‘Shiv’ and ‘Gaur’ means ‘Parvati’.

Married women worship Parvati to seek the blessings for their good married life and unmarried girls for getting a better life partner.

The festival of gangaur shows the culture and tradition of Rajasthan as well as the devotion towards their deity.

This festival also showcases that how the people are well connected to their roots and culture amid the modern culture and western impacts and are passing the rich tradition to the their future generations.

We have provided 10 lines, 5 lines, 20 lines, few lines and sentences on Gangaur Festival in English for Class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

You can add these lines in your essays and paragraphs writing in your exams as well as in the school competitions.

It will help you to get knowledge about Gangaur Festival and its related topics.

10 Lines on Gangaur Festival

1) Gangaur is a festival which is popularly celebrated in the western state of Rajasthan.

2) Gangaur is also celebrated in some parts of Gujarat as well as in Madhya Pradesh.

3) This festival is being celebrated for more than 100 years in Kolkata.

4) People from Rajasthan who migrated to Kolkata are celebrating Gangaur festival.

5) Gangaur festival reflects the culture of Rajasthan or the family where it is celebrated.

6) Gangaur is an 18 days celebration which is celebrated in the month of February-March.

7) The name ‘Gangaur’ has the word ‘Gan’ means ‘Shiv’ and ‘Gaur’ means ‘Parvati’.

8) Gangaur is mainly celebrated by women and girls who worship Goddess Gauri (Parvati).

9) Women seek the blessings of Parvati for marital bliss and long life for their husband.

10) Gangaur festival is also observed by unmarried girls also for getting a good life partner.

10 Lines and Sentences on Gangaur Festival

1) Gangaur is a festival which is dedicated to goddess Parvati, women especially the married ones worship her for marital bliss and good health of husband.

2) Gangaur is mainly celebrated in Rajasthan; however the festival is also celebrated in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana etc.

3) The festival of Gangaur starts from the first day of Chaitra month, the day after the festival of Holika dahan and coincides with Holi.

4) The celebration of Gangaur festival indicates the beginning of spring season and is celebrated on the next day of the full moon in March.

5) For a newly wedded girl, it is compulsory to abide by the rites and rituals of gangaur festival in order to have good married life.

6) Idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are made by clay on the eve of gangaur festival; Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are the main deity of this festival.

7) Gangaur festival reaches its climax in three days and the idols and images of Shiva and Parvati are made especially on this occasion.

8) During the afternoon time, a procession of married women goes to a garden with the idols of Shiva and Parvati, placed on the heads of women.

9) Folk songs are sung about the departure of Gauri to her husband’s house and this procession returns back after offering water for two days.

10) Gangaur festival is very much popular Rajasthan and in Jaipur, a sweet dish called ‘Ghewar’ is the favourite delicacy of this festival.

5 Lines on Gangaur Festival

1) It is celebrated in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

2) In this puja, the goddess Parvati is worshipped.

3) Married women observe fast for marital bliss.

4) Women pray for the good health of their husbands.

5) This festival is observed for 18 days.

20 Lines on Gangaur Festival

1) Gangaur festival is a festival mainly celebrated in Rajasthan.

2) Gan means Lord Shiva and Gaur means Gauri (Parvati); they are worshiped in this form.

3) This festival is also celebrated in some parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana.

4) It is a major festival of Marwaris and lasts for 16 days.

5) This festival begins from the day following the Holi festival.

6) During this sixteen days festival, women pick the durva (a kind of weed) and flowers from the garden.

7) Durva is dipped in milk and its sprinkles are given to Gangaur made from clay.

8) Curd, betel nut, silver ring, water etc. are offered to the Goddess Gauri.

9) On the eighth day, soil is brought from the potter’s place, and from this clay, idols of Isher ji (Shiva) and Gangaur Mata (Gauri) are made.

10) It is said that on this day Lord Shiva and Parvati gave the blessings of good fortune to all women that is why all women worship Gangaur with full devotion.

11) Gangaur festival is a very special festival of Rajasthan.

12) Goddess Gangaur is worshiped throughout Rajasthan.

13) This festival of Gauri Pujan is celebrated with full pomp and show mainly in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal.

14) Gangaur festival starts from the following day of Holi, which continues continuously for the whole sixteen days.

15) In the Gangaur Pujan, the unmarried girls and married women urge unbroken good luck for themselves, prosperity of their parents and in-laws and to pray to the goddess to come again every year.

16) It is believed that Lord Shiva had given the blessing to Parvati of unbroken good luck and Parvati gave this boon to all the women who worshiped Shiva along with her.

17) On this day, both married and virgin girls worship Shiva and Gauri by fasting.

18) Married women make full adoration to protect their love and to get their love and unmarried girls worship for good groom.

19) Throughout these sixteen days, women sing different songs for every occasion.

20) In many places in Rajasthan, fairs also take place in various ways.

Gangaur is very famous in Rajasthan and it is the prime festival of the state.

Gangaur is equally respected and regarded as ‘Teej’ festival in Rajasthan.

Both of the festivals i.e. Teej and Gangaur are mainly women dominated where women worship their deity.

During gangaur festival, whole market and city are decorated and are filled with items related to the festivals and worship.

Gangaur shows the rich texture of culture and tradition of Rajasthan.

GANGAUR FESTIVAL RAJASTHAN STORY AND SIGNIFICANCE

Among the various colourful festivals of India that dawn with the spring, the Gangaur festival of Rajasthan is the most popular.

It is celebrated throughout the State with great enthusiasm and devotion which is manifested in the limitless love of womanhood.

The Gangaur festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra.

The cultural extravaganza associated with it starts on the first day of the Chaitra month.

It is followed by the celebration of Holi.

It is observed in other states as well.

The word “Gangaur” comprises two words “Gan” and “Gaur”.

Gan is synonymous with Lord Shiva whereas Gaur or Gavar means Goddess Gauri or Parvati, the consort of Shiva.

WHAT IS TEEJ FESTIVAL?

Teej is an umbrella term, used to refer to several Hindu festivals that are celebrated at the onset of the monsoon. It is fundamentally celebrated by womenfolk.

Teej Festival in India is commemorated by women through fasting.

Gangaur Festival, Rajasthan is sometimes referred to as Teej.

WHY GANGAUR FESTIVAL IS CELEBRATED?

It is the festival of harvest, love and conjugal harmony.

The Gangaur festival history can be traced back to the reign of Rajput rulers.

But even today this celebration is observed with the same reverence and glory.

It usually lasts for 16 or 18 days.

The Gangaur Puja is held in honour of Goddess Parvati.

Maa Parvati is the symbol of Saubhagya (marital bliss) and is the embodiment of excellence and marital love.

The spinsters worship Gauri with a strong desire for the perfect partner.

Whereas, married women, on the other hand, pray for the health, longevity, and prosperity of their beloved spouses.

The traditional attires attributed to the beauty of women like lehenga, chunni, and Benarasi sarees, in vivid colours, bring to life the idealistic romanticization we see in movies.

Delicacies such as kheer, churma, daal-baati and halwa serve as a relishing feast, turning even one’s lunch and dinner into an unforgettable memory. 

GANGAUR FESTIVAL RAJASTHAN- RITES AND RITUALS

Deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, the preparations and planning commence days before the first ray of the festival.

Primarily, five idols are sculpted depicting Goddess Gauri (Gangaur), Isarji, Kaniramji, Rovabai and Dholanmala.

Kaniram and Rova are the brother and sister of Isarji, and Dholanmala is a young girl.

Some communities consider only two idols in reverence to Isar-Gangaur.

Originally, these idols were a mixture of ash and mud, but now this composition has been replaced by wood and clay, crafted by the local potters of the Matheran and Usta communities.

Some deify the stones made of the ashes as Kachchi Gangaur.

The idols are available in various sizes and are decked with costumes, jewellery, turbans and crowns.

The ones made of clay are placed in a basket with grass and flowers.

The preparation dawns when the seeds of wheatgrass (jawara) are sown on the day of Sheet ashtmi in traditionally designed earthen pots.

This grass is later used in adulation on the final day of the festival.

GANGAUR FESTIVAL RAJASTHAN- WIFEHOOD

The Gangaur festival in Rajasthan continues for sixteen days.

However, a newly wedded girl is bound to observe the full course of eighteen days.

During the festival, few ceremonious conventions are followed- to wake up early in the morning, getting ready and bring some Dubh (a kind of grass) for the puja.

Idols are drawn on the paper and then the girls are supposed to put 16 small dots with KumKum as a depiction of the auspicious state of wifehood.

If for instance, dubh is not available, one can devoutly water the seeds with a silver ring.

On the evening of the 7th day, ladies carry out a procession to the sound of drums, walking with Ghudlias on their heads.

During this parade, they sing the many songs of joy and cavort to the beat of their hearts.

They also receive gifts from their elders.

Ghudlia is nothing but an earthen pot with innumerable holes and a lamp inside.

From the 8th day onwards, the clay or wooden idols placed in the basket are worshipped. However, some communities don’t keep the basket.

The females offer water to the Goddess while observing a fast till afternoon.

And then they sing the traditional folk songs (Geet) with the accompaniment of rituals.

Certain devotional songs have stories of origin and are composed of specific rituals. In the evening, they offer sweets as an oblation to the Goddess Gangaur.

The newlyweds must observe fast throughout the festival except for one meal a day.

Spinsters also observe fast at least for one day during the festival.

THE STORY BEHIND THE GANGAUR FESTIVAL

It is mandatory for the ones observing fast, to recite the story about the Gangaur festival and learn how it is related to the puja.

Our ancestors were very logical.

Today studies find that fasting helps in keeping a body healthy.

Learn more facts about healthy eating habits and the science behind fasting.

THE STORY GOES LIKE THIS:

Once, Lord Shiva with his better half Goddess Parvati along with Saint Narad was wandering across the four corners of the land.

Then on the 3rd day of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month, they reached a dense forest.

On being aware of their presence, womenfolk in the nearby villages were very excited and delighted.

The women of the lower castes rushed to seek their blessings in no time with whatever little rice, turmeric powder and kumkum they had.

Goddess Gauri sprinkled the “Suhaagras” on them as a blessing for an eternal and happy married life.

But the ladies of the upper castes were late to arrive for worship, as they were busy preparing delicacies for the divine couple which they offered in golden-silver plates.

After the Puja, Lord Shiva raised an eyebrow as to what would Goddess Parvati offer them as there were no suhaagras left.

The poised goddess with a motherly smile cut her finger and sprinkled her holy blood on the delayed ladies as benison.

After all this, the goddess went to the river for bathing.

After her bath,  she prepared a Lingam (Shiva) with sand to offer her prayers.

Her Puja was over, she conjured eatables from the sand itself and offered them to Shiva.

The depiction of goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva is a manifestation of an ideal bond between a husband and wife.

Thus a wife true to her husband, like goddess Parvati is granted conjugal bliss and twice the longevity of her husband.

GANGAUR FESTIVAL RAJASTHAN- THE PORTRAYAL OF A RICH CULTURE

SINDHARA OR SINJARA

On this day, families get together and exchange gifts.

It’s the day of women in the house.

The elders give their daughters and daughters-in-law various gifts such as clothes, jewellery, bangles, bindis, sweets, and much more.

The gifts are also sent to the son-in-law’s house.

Women adorn their feet and hands with henna, don the gifted outfits and then, celebrate with their families.

On this day, women feel as if they’re the indisputable queens of their families.

BINDORAS OR BANDORAS

The main vibrancy of the festival lies in the Bandoras which are a kind of kitty-parties for those involved in the celebrations.

Delicious food is cooked along with desserts.

Relatives and friends are invited and the girls dance, sing, play, and act the roles of the goddess Parvati.

The main charm is imbued in the devotional songs.

These songs are moulded to the tunes of Marwari folk music and Bollywood evergreen hits.

THE FAREWELL OF THE GANGAUR FESTIVAL

The concluding three days are indeed magnificent.

Finally, the day arrives when all bid farewell to the Goddess Gauri.

This day is also known as “Gauri or Gangaur or SaubhagyaTeej” which is extremely popular in Hindu culture.

Generally, Teej refers to the third day after the rise of the new moon and the day after the full moon.

Gangaur Puja is performed with zeal celebrating the bond of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Women embrace themselves in bright hues of traditional choli attires and glistening ornaments, likened to the idols of the goddesses which seem alive.

In the afternoons extending to evenings, women set out in a procession, taking the idols on their heads to a nearby lake or pond to perform the Gangaur Puja one last time before immersing the idols in water.

They sing Vidaai songs of Gauri departing to her abode with Isarji, their eyes sparkling with tears of bliss.

Thus, in this way, the festival of Gangaur comes to an end.

GANGAUR FESTIVAL RAJASTHAN- WISHES AND GREETINGS

Throughout the day people meet and welcome each other with the following wishes and blessings:-

May Goddess Gangaur bless you with prosperity, ecstasy, and well-being of your spouse and children.

Happy Gangaur!

May this festival of joy fill your heart with love, happiness, and abundant fortune!

May this Teej light up your year with smiles and grins!

LEGENDS AND MYTHOLOGIES ASSOCIATED WITH GANGAUR PUJA

After Goddess Sati immolated herself, Lord Shiva felt tormented and bereaved.

The Goddess took 108 subsequent births to rejuvenate Shiva.

Her 108th incarnation was as Goddess Parvati.

The invocation of Parvati’s blessing during the festival is believed to bring about perpetual marital bliss.

As per Hindu texts, goddess Parvati was attracted to Lord Shiva and prayed day and night for him. Impressed by her devotion, Lord Shiva decided to marry her.

The Gangaur festival revolves around Shiva escorting Parvati from her parental home, followed by a grand farewell.

Some tribes look upon Gangaur Puja as an auspicious occasion to choose their perfect Life-partner.

GANGAUR FESTIVAL RAJASTHAN- CELEBRATION

Gangaur Festival, Rajasthan’s most anticipated fiesta, is also one of the key charms that mesmerises the heritage of the state.

The rites and rituals differ in different parts of the state.

The cultural vibes fill up the air throughout the sixteen days of Gangaur Puja, especially the last day when it reaches its peak.

Sumptuous sweets such as Ghewar reign on the land of diverse tongues with diverse tastes, adding further to the glory of the occasion.

For instance, the celebration at Alsisar Mahal (Shekhawati) is full of fanfare and activities.

The most noteworthy destinations to witness this gala are Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Nathdwara.

GANGAUR IN JAIPUR

No wonder that the Pink City of the royal land is considered to be the best place to enjoy the vivid colours of the festival.

On the last day, commencing from Zanani-Deorhi in the City Palace, the traditional procession passes through Tripolia Bazaar, ChhotiChaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, and Chaughan stadium.

It then finally culminates near Talkatora where the idols are submerged in water.

The procession consists of decorated elephants, artistic palanquins, bustling crowds of female folk dressed like princesses.

The beautiful women unique to the festival make the sky and earth tremble with joy through their dance, in rhythm with the mellifluous Rajasthani folk music.

The majestic fairs and the special cuisine add an exquisite flavour to the pomp and charm.

This procession is one of the two occasions when the Tripoliya gate is opened for the locals.

UDAIPUR- MEWAR

The concluding three days of the Gangaur festival are celebrated as “Mewar Festival”.

Situated on the waterfront of Lake Pichola, known as Gangaur or Gangori Ghat.

The glorious parades of women carrying the Gangaur effigies march from the Clock Tower and pass through various areas before stopping at the Gangaur Ghat.

The royal family from the City Palace comes from Bansi Ghat to Ganagur Ghat.

Breathtaking performances of Kalbeliya and Ghoomar are held, along with the spectacular fireworks that rent the still sky to boisterousness.

The shimmering water of the lake surrounding the divine Isarji and Gauri ji is indeed a rare sight.

The whole fest serves as a manifestation of the cultural and artistic hues that define the very honour of incredible India.

The tourists get a chance to know the regional ceremonies in-depth, and a chance of a lifetime for photographers to capture the paintings and make them last forever.

Gangaur puja in other regions

Though it is predominant in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Gangaur Puja is also observed in some parts of West Bengal, Gujarat, and Telangana.

In Calcutta, it is believed to have started in the area of ‘Burrabazar’ but now the ceremonial celebration has travelled to various other areas.

A lot of people from the desert state have migrated to Kolkata with time, which might be the reason why this festival has such a large presence there.

Isar and Gwarja are worshipped, delicious food is prepared, women apply henna, and carry out a Shobha-Yatra dressed as Gods and Goddesses.

It’s like a carnival where the Rajasthani culture is blended with that of Bengal.

Areas of Kakurgachi, Phoolbagan, and Beliaghata proliferated with the Maheshwari communities during this time.

In the areas of MalwaAnchal and Nimar of Madhya Pradesh, the Gangaur festival is celebrated with great pageantry.

SIGNIFICANCE OF GANGAUR PUJA

The wheatgrass which is grown during these sixteen days has religious importance along with the known nutritional benefits.

It is also worshipped as Goddess Durga and considered auspicious.

Hence, on the last day, before immersing into the water, few are kept by girls as good luck or tied in their hairs.

The notable Gangaur festival is observed in honour of the very manifestation of Shakti (Gauri), which holds a special status in the Hindu religion.

It refers to an exclusively feminine principle and is perceived in all phenomena of life.

Deprived of Shakti, the entire planet would be rendered lifeless.

Women put on the finest jewellery and new colour-rich sarees – often red, which is the colour of marriage as per the Hindu culture.

Goddess Parvati has set an astounding example for women by going through a great deal of pain and sacrifice to achieve the love and affection of Lord Shiva.

Hence, womenfolk pray to be endowed with the same spirit so that they can face the most excruciating pain to win their husband’s confidence and love.  

GANGAUR FESTIVAL RAJASTHAN- A SYMBOL OF MARITAL BONDING

In recent years, the Gangaur festival has become more than just a bygone custom.

The Hindi Daily Soaps portray this vivacious celebration with voguish lehengas, glossy bangles, and embellishments to the fascination of today’s young generation.

A song and a tagline in association with this celebration are now at the tip of everyone’s tongues- “Gauri-Shankarji  ke Jaisi Jodi ban jaaye..!”

People have started giving a modern touch to this aesthetic festival which makes it more engaging.

The girls get immensely attached to the Goddess Gauri during these sixteen days, which depicts the customary difference of a girl after her marriage.

In this era of divorces, this festival celebrates the all-expansive compassion of a woman towards her husband.

Gangaur

“Once upon a time, Lord Shiv, along with Goddess Parvati and Narad Muni went out to take a small trip.

When they reached a nearby forest, the news of their arrival spread like wild fire.

All the women of high-class families wanted to offer them delicious food.

As the women were busy preparing a gorgeous spread for the Gods and Goddess, the women of the low class came with their offerings.

Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati happily ate the food and Goddess sprinkled the “suhagras” on them.

After a certain time, the women of the high classes came with the food they had prepared.

They arranged it on the golden and silver platters.

The food was also consumed by the deities.

When they had finished eating Lord Shiv asked his wife that with what was she going to bless the women as she had already finished every bit of the “suhagras” on blessing the women of lower classes.

 To this, Goddess Parvati replied that she intended to bless these women with her own blood.

Saying so, she scratched the tip of her finger and sprinkled the blood on these women.

Once this was done, Goddess Parvati went to take a bath in the nearby river, After her bath, she stepped on the beach and made a Shivalinga out of sand and worshipped it.

She offered the Shivalinga with food that she prepared out of sand.

All these took a lot of time and when she went back to her husband, he asked the cause of her delay. Goddess Parvati lied to Lord Shiv and said that she met her family on the way.

When Lord Shiv asked what she ate, she said that her relatives offered her milk and rice.

 Upon hearing this, Lord Shiv also wanted to taste the same. In reality Lord Shiv knew that Parvati was not being true.

When he said that he too wanted to meet his in- laws, Goddess Parvati started praying to Bholenath (Lord Shiv) to save her face.

As the three reached the banks, they saw a palace and all the relatives of Goddess Parvati waiting for them.

The palace and the relatives were nothing but illusion. It was created by Lord Shiva himself.

They were received and enjoyed their stay for two days.

After this, Goddess Parvati wanted to leave while Lord Shiva wanted to stay for a few days more.

When Goddess Parvati pressed to leave, Lord Shiv has to leave along with Narad Muni.

While on their journey back home, Lord Shiv realized that he had forgot to being his garland.

Narad Muni was sent to fetch it. When he reached the place, he saw mothing but thick forest and wild beasts roaming around.

He saw that the mala was resting on the branch of a tree.

When Narad went back to Lord Shiv, he narrated the entire incident to the God.

On hearing this, Lord Shiv said that all this was the “Leela” of Goddess Parvati.

She felt embarrassed.

On seeing this, Narad Muni said that there was nothing to be embarrassed about doing the pooja in secret.

He also said that Mata Parvati was the epitome of Marital bliss for all the women.

She is the “adi shakti” and anyone who does the pooja in secret will duly be blessed by Lord Shiv.

Since that day onward, the popularity of the Gangaur festival started spreading on earth.”

Do YouK this Mythological Story Of Gangaur?

In Hindu society, the day of Chaitra Shukla Tritiya is celebrated on the occasion of Gangaur festival.

Gangaur is considered to be a unique festival of colorful culture along with being a folk festival and this festival is considered exclusively for women only.

On this day Lord Shiva gave the blessings of good fortune to Parvatiji and to all women and society.

So let’s know the mythological story of this festival.

Legendary Vratakatha – Once Lord Shankar and Goddess Parvati went on a tour with Naradji. While walking, they reached a village on the day of Chaitra Shukla Tritiya.

On hearing the news of his arrival, the best noblewomen of the village started preparing delicious food for his reception.

He was very late while making food but the women of ordinary clan reached turmeric with turmeric and Akshata in the plates before the women of the superior clan.

Parvatiji accepted his worship and sprinkled all the suhaag juice on him.

She returned after receiving the boon of Atal Suhaag.

After that, women of high clans came to worship Gauriji and Shankarji after taking a variety of dishes.

Seeing them, Lord Shankar said to Parvatiji, ‘You have given all the honey to the women of the ordinary family, what will you give them?’ Parvatiji replied, ‘Prannath, don’t worry about them.

I have given only the juice made from the upper substances to those women, but I will rip my finger to the women of these higher clans and give them the icing juice of my blood whose luck will be in this sweet juice, it will be as fortunate as me with my whole body.’

When the women finished the puja, Parvati Ji ripped her finger and sprinkled it on them, and the one who splashed, she got the same honey.

After that, Parvatiji, on the orders of Lord Shiva, bathed on the river bank and started worshiping after making a Shiva idol of sand.

After worshiping, she made a dish of sand and offered it to Lord Shiva.

After doing the pradakshina, apply tilak on the forehead from the soil of the river bank and offered two grains of sand.

Parvati took so much time doing all this.

After a long time when she returned, Mahadevji asked her the reason for coming late.

In reply, Parvati Ji has told the lie that my brother-in-law and other parents had met there.

It was late to talk to them but Mahadev was Mahadev.

He wanted to create a different Leela composition.

So he asked- ‘Parvati! What did you worship by worshiping on the banks of the river and what was the Prasad itself? Owner! Parvatiji again lied – ‘My spirit fed me milk and rice.

After eating it, I am coming straight here.

Hearing this, Shivji also walked towards the riverbank in the greed of eating milk and rice.’ Parvatiji got confused.

Then she silently meditated on Lord Bholeshankar and prayed – ‘O God! If I am your exclusive maid, then you take care of me at this time.

While praying this, Parvatiji kept following Lord Shiva.

She saw Maya’s palace on the banks of the distant river.

Upon reaching inside that palace, she sees that Shivji’s brother-in-law and Salhaj etc are present there.

He warmly welcomed Gauri and Shankar.

They stayed there for 2 days.

On the third day, Parvatiji asked Shiva to walk, but Shivji was not ready.

They wanted to stay still. Then Parvatiji walked alone. 

Lord Shiva had to walk with Parvati. Naradji also walked together.

While walking, they came out very far.

Lord Surya was visiting his Dham (west).

Suddenly Lord Shankar said to Parvatiji – ‘I have forgotten my rosary in your home.’

‘Ok, I get it’, Parvatiji said and she was ready to go, but the Lord did not allow her to go and sent Brahmaputra Naradji for this task, but upon reaching there, Naradji saw a palace and didn’t come.

There was a jungle far and wide in which violent animals were wandering.

Naradji started wandering there and wondered if he had come to some wrong place. Suddenly lightning flashed and Naradji saw Shivji’s garland hanging on a tree.

Naradji took off the rosary and reached Shivaji and told him the situation there. Shiva laughed and said- ‘Narada! All of this is Leela of Parvati. On this, Parvati said- ‘Who am I worthy of?’ Then Naradji bowed his head and said- ‘Mother! You are the best of your friends.

You are an Adishakti in the fortunate society.

All this is the effect of your husband.

Only the women of the world can attain unwavering good fortune by your name-remembrance and can make and erase all the achievements.

Then what big thing is this karma for you? ‘ Naradji further said that ‘Great! Secret worship is more powerful and meaningful.

I am very happy to see your spirit and miraculous power.

I say as a blessing that women who wish to worship their husbands secretly and pray for them, will get the longevity of their husband by the grace of Mahadevji. ‘