Gangaur

Practice

The festival is held in honour of Gauri or Parvati, the wife of Shiva. She is the symbol of virtue and fidelity and as such is the mythological role model of married women. Gangaur is the most important local festival in Rajasthan. Girls dress up in their finest clothes and pray for a spouse of their choice, while married women do the same for the happiness and long life of their husbands.

Although celebrated throughout Rajasthan with great enthusiasm, the celebrations in Jaipur and Udaipur have their own charm and attraction. The festival is also celebrated with great pomp and show in Bikaner, Jodhpur, Marathwara and Jaisalmer. Girls worship the goddess throughout the preceding fortnight. Colourful images of Gauri, beautifully dressed and bejewelled are taken out in procession accompanied by the town band.

A boat procession is taken out in the Pichola lake. Women balancing brass pitchers on their heads add to the gaiety of Udaipur celebrations. Thousands of people from the countryside come to take part in the procession of the Gangaur image from village to village. Tribal men and women have an opportunity to meet and interact freely and during this time, they select partners and marry by eloping. An unusual, romantic custom, which is sanctioned by the community.