Gangaur

Gangaur is a significant festival of Jaipur, especially meant for the women. Gangaur festival is widely acclaimed and celebrated throughout the state of Rajasthan. The word Gangaur is derived from two words, 'Gan' and 'Gauri' which are synonyms of 'Siva' and his consort 'Parvati' respectively. The festival of Gangaur starts with the subsequent day of Holi and persists for about 2 weeks. Gangaur is celebrated in the honor of Goddess Gauri, who is considered as the symbol of virtue, devotion, fertility and a perfect married woman.

The womenfolk of Rajasthan worship Gauri with all the means of devotion. The married women worship Gauri for the well-being of their husband, while the unmarried girls worship the goddess to get the husband of their choice. 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.

The ceremony takes place with the praiseful songs for Isar (Siva) and Gauri. The women apply henna on their hands to celebrate the auspicious festival. They carry painted matkas (water pots) on their heads. They also make images of Gauri and Isar with clay. On the seventh evening after Holi, unmarried girls assemble and take out a procession with 'Ghudlia' (an earthen pot with holes around and a lamp inside) on their heads. The ceremony continues for a fortnight. The girls are gifted with sweets, ghee and cash by the elders.

During the last days of the festival, the celebration reaches to its height. On the final day, lively images of Gauri are taken out in procession escorted by traditionally dressed camels, bullock carts, horses and elephants. Songs are sung about the departure of Gauri to her husband's home. The procession is wrapped up with the breaking of pots and throwing the trash into a tank or pond. This traditional festival of Gangor is celebrated in Jaipur from ages and forms a special attraction for any visitor.

The ritual is performed with songs of Isar and Gauri (Shiva and Parvathi) and the varying of pots of water on the head. Women folks also make clay images of Gauri and Isar. On the evening of the seventh day after Holi, unmarried girls take out a parade with ghudlia (an earthen pot with holes around and a lamp inside) on their heads. On the way they are gifted presents such as sweets, ghee, oil and cash. The ritual continues for a fortnight till the conclusion of the Gangaur Festival. The festivity reaches to its peak during the last three days of the festival. On the last day Colorful images of Gauri are taken out in procession accompanied by the camels, bullock carts, horses and elephants, decorated in traditional finery. Songs are sung about the departure of Gauri to her husband's house. The procession concludes with the girls breaking their pots and throwing all the consignment into a tank or a pond.

Another unique characteristic of this colorful festival is that on this occasion, tribal men and women have an opportunity to meet and interact freely. They can select a life partner of their choice and marry only by eloping.

We, Fascinating Rajasthan welcome you to this colorful and vibrant region of India. Come and experience the true colors of Rajasthan in its fairs and festivals on your Fascinating Rajasthan Festival Tour. Fascinating Rajasthan is an experienced and trusted tour operator providing excellent services to its customers for many years now.