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Gangaur is a festival celebrated in the Indian state of Rajasthan and some parts of Gujarat and West Bengal.
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 the celebration of spring, harvest and marital fidelity. Gana is a synonym for Lord Shiva and Gaur which stands for Gauri or Parvati who symbolizes Saubhagya (marital bliss). The unmarried women worship her for being blessed with a good husband, while married women do so for the welfare, health and long life of their husbands and for a happy married life. People from Rajasthan when migrated to Kolkata in West Bengal started celebrating Gangaur. This celebration is now more than 100 years old in Kolkata.
History of Gangaur Festival
Lord Shiva, Parvati (Gauri) and Sage Narad visited a small forest. When the visit of Gods became a news, women prepared feast for the Gods. The women of higher class came with their dishes, first. After dining, the Gods sprinkled holy water on them, as a symbol of blessing. Later, when the women of lower class came with their offerings, Gods did not have any remaining holy water for blessing. Thus, Goddess Parvati cut her finger and sprinkled blood as the holy water.
Gangaur Festivities at Various Places
Bikaner :
In Bikaner, married women and maidens fast during the festival. They prepare sweet dishes, carry them to a well, make an offering thereof to the goddess, and return home distributing these as 'prasad' on the way.
Jaipur :
In Jaipur, a sweet dish called 'ghewar' is characteristic of the Gangaur Festival. People buy 'ghewar' to eat and distribute it among their friends and relatives. A procession, with the image of Gauri, forms at the Palace Gate known as Tripolia and moves on the city streets passing Chaugan and on to Talkatora. A vast gathering of the citizens of Jaipur and villagers from nearby areas witnesses the procession.
Jodhpur :
The fair of 'lotias' is a distinctive feature of the Gangaur celebrations in Jodhpur. Early in the morning, thousands of maidens, clad in their best attire, singing melodious songs, bring water and 'durva' grass in silver or brass pots to a place known as Girdikot. The fair is witnessed by a large number of citizens who throng to the locality to be a part of the celebration.
Nathdwara :
In Nathdwara, the procession of Gangaur lasts 7 days. Each day, a particular colour is chosen for the dress of the goddess. On the last day of the festival, the image of Gauri is dressed in black with golden lace work and women carrying the image too are dressed in a similar fashion. This indicates the final departure of Gauri.
Udaipur :
The images of Isar and Gauri are taken in a procession to the Pichhola Lake, thereafter they go around the lake in a boat, for an hour and the ceremony comes to an end with a display of fireworks on the banks.
Banswara :
In Banswara, the procession is taken out from the Zenana Deorhi to Singhvashi Chowk, both are areas within the palace compound. Traditional religious ceremonies are performed here.
Rajasthan is all about royalty, culture, color, camel and celebration. Rajasthan is also famous for mesmerising lakes, dessert, historical places & forts. A Rajasthan festival includes interesting rituals,ethnicity, tradition festivals and celebrations. Numerous fairs and festivals are celebrated in Rajasthan. All the fairs and festivals feature display of the state’s legacy, colorful artifacts, lip- smacking delicacies, traditional Rajasthani attires, folk songs, folk dance and various interesting competitions. fairs and festivals in Rajasthan offer a chance to travellers to have a glimpse into the art, culture, customs and history of the state. Some of the popular Rajasthan fairs and festivals are Camel Festival, Desert Festival, Pushkar Fair and Urs Fair. Other festivals include Gangaur Festival, Diwali Festival, Kite Festival, Teej, Marwar Festival, Summer Festival. Travel to Rajasthan and participate in the jubilant activities.
