Gangaur – The Festival of Rajasthan.

Gangaur is colourful and one of the most important festivals of people of Rajasthan and is observed throughout the state with great fervour and devotion by womenfolk who worship Gauri, the wife of Lord Shiva during March–April. 

It is special festival of Udaipur which bears a unique significance for the people of Rajasthan.

Gangaur – The Festival of Rajasthan

As soon as we give farewell to Holi – The Festival of Colors, we Rajasthani women welcomes another traditional festival of Ghangaur with typical mewari songs like “poojan do ghangaur bhanwar mhane poojan do ghangaur”.

We Indians are inherent with celebrations on every small and big occasion, precisely to talk about Rajasthan then fairs and festivals are very important part of our lives. We have celebrations for every religious occasion; we celebrate even for every season.Gangaur is celebrated at the end of winter and the onset of spring season, this 18 day festival starts with subsequent day of Holi.

Gangaur is all about honouring the goddess Gauri and celebrating love and marriage. A manifestation of Parvati (Lord Shiva's wife), Gauri represents purity and austerity. Married women worship Gauri for the good health and longevity of their husbands. Unmarried women worship her to be blessed with a good husband."Gana" is another word for Lord Shiva, and Gangaur signifies Lord Shiva and Parvati together. It's believed that Gauri won the affection of Lord Shiva through her deep devotion and dedicated meditation to attract him. Parvati returned to her parental home during Gangaur, to bless her friends with marital bliss. On the last day, Parvati was given a grand farewell by her loved ones and Lord Shiva arrived to escort her home. 

Festival of Gangaur initiates on the first day of Chaitra and continues for the following 18 days till it reaches the climax in the last three days.

Out of many rituals, on 7th day women carry earthen pots on their heads with burning lamps inside it. This ritual continues for next 10 days after which it’s finally breaks. Beautifully ornamented and colorfully dressed idols of Isar and Gauri are taken out in a procession. Gangaur carries special significance for women who wear bright clothes, fine jewelries and offers Heena on hands.

In Udaipur it is celebrated specially for three consecutive days known as hari gangaur, chundari gangaur and gulabi gangaur.

Gangaur Ghat as the name means is one of beautiful shore of Lake Pichola. It is a popular tourist place too, every year a beautiful procession is carried out on the day of Gangaur from Gangaur Ghat.

Since the days of Maharanas, there is a tradition of offering Gangaur from the shore of Lake Pichola.

Several boats carrying idols of Isar and Gauri are placed in the boats which are followed by a big princely boat, which is also named as “Gangaur”. After observing all traditional ceremonies, here starts a series of cultural programs and fireworks till late hours.

Being a Rajasthani I am blessed with happiness and prosperity in the form of so many festivals. Gangaur for me is as important as “Karwa Chauth” because on this day I worship Goddess Gauri and Lord Shiva for long and healthy life of my husband.

On a personal note I would like to add that if you want to witness the colors and festivity then a visit to the fairs and festivals of Udaipur is a must do for you.

The cheering mood of natives, their vibrant colored dresses and ancestral customs will force your heart to swing and your legs to move in the rhythm of happiness.