Gangaur Festival

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Deriving from the two words Gan and Gauri, the word Gangaur seems synonyms for Shiva and his consort Parvathi. This Gangaur festival is celebrated all over the state in the months of March and April and it is an important part of the cultural life of the people of Rajasthan.

The Gangaur festival is a religious festival celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm. Devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi this festival is mainly a festival for women folk of Rajasthan. Dressed up in the best attires, the women perform the rituals for the festivals. The idols of Gods and goddesses are adorned for a cultural procession. The procession is kept alive by the dance, music and other lively cultural shows.

The Gangaur festival is celebrated on Holi festival and it continues for a long period of days. Women keep day-long fast and break the fast after offering prayer to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. The married women offer worshipping to Gauri for well-being of their husband while unmarried pray to the Goddess to get the husband of choice. The main custom starts with collecting ashes from the Holi fire and burying the seeds of barley in it.

Gangaur festival is celebrated all over Rajasthan. One can visit Udaipur or Jaipur to explore this cultural extravaganza of Rajasthan.