Gangaur is one of the most important festivals in Rajasthan. It 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 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.

 

Tourists can enjoy the festival atmosphere, including great shopping and a gastronomic experience. Numerous delicacies, including the famous Rajasthani sweets, will be available everywhere. Ghevar is one of the most famous sweets in Rajasthan and is a special delicacy during this festival. The friendly people here make your stay enjoyable.

 

Rajasthan during the Gangaur festivities is a must-visit for those looking to experience the ancient Indian culture and festivals in different regions. You can trust redBus to take care of all your essential needs related to travel bookings, hotel bookings, and internal commutes from your place of residence. You can download the redBus app or visit redBus, India website to book tickets and hotel accommodation.