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Gangaur is one of the most
important local festival in
Rajasthan. In some form or
the other it is celebrated
all over Rajasthan. “gan” is
a synonym for Lord Shiva and
“gauri” or “gaur” stands for
goddess parvati, the
heavenly consort of lord
Shiva. Gangaur celebrates
the union of the two and is
a symbol of conjugal and
marital happiness.
Gangaur is celebrated in the
month of chaitra
(March-April), the first
month of the Hindu calendar.
This month marks the end of
winter and the onset of
spring.
This festival is celebrated
especially by women, who
worship clay idols of “Gan”
& “Gauri” in their houses.
These idols are worshiped by
unmarried girls who seek the
blessings of Gan and Gauri
for a good husband, while
the married women pray for
the good health and long
life of their husbands.
This worship which starts
form the first day of the
chaitra month culminates on
the 18th day into Gangaur
festival with a great
religious fervor. On the eve
of Gangaur festival women
decorate their polms and
fingers with henna. The
idols of Gan and Gauri are
immersed in pond or in a
near by lake on the last day
of the festival.
A traditional procession of
Gangaur commerces form the
Zanani- Deodhi of the City
Palace, passing through
Tripolia Bazair, Chhoti
Chaupar, Gangauri Bazar,
Chaugan stadium and finally
converges near the Talkatora.
The procession is headed by
a colorful pageantry of
elephants, old palanquins,
chariots, bullock carts and
performance folk artists. |
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