GANGAUR FESTIVAL

GANGAUR FESTIVAL is a festival celebrated in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Gangaur is the colorful and one of the most important festivals of the people of Rajasthan and is observed throughout the country with great fervor and devotion of women who worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva during the March-April. Gangaur is a celebration of spring, the harvest and martial fidelity in Jaipur. Gana is a synonym for Shiva and Gaur, the Gauri and Parvati means Saubhagya (family happiness) symbolizes. To bless the cult of the unmarried women of good husbands, while married women to do for the welfare, health and longevity of their husbands and happy married life.

The festival begins on the first day of Chaitra, the day following Holi and continues for 18 days. For a newly married girl, is binding to observe the full course of 18 days of the festival that succeeds her marriage. Even unmarried girls fast for the entire period of 18 days and eat only one meal a day. Day consummates the third day of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra Month.Fairs (Gangaur Mela) held throughout the period of 18 days. Numerous folklore associated with Gangaur makes this festival rooted deep in the hearts of Rajasthan, .The ladies decorate their hands and feet by drawing designs with Mehndi. The figures drawn range from the Sun, Moon and the starts to simple flowers or geometrical designs. Ghudlias are earthen pots with numerous holes all around and a lamp lit inside them. On the evening of the 7th day after Holi, unmarried girls go around singing songs of ghudlia carrying the pots with a burning lamp inside, on their heads. On their way, they collect small presents of cash, sweets, jaggery, ghee, oil etc. this continues for 10 days i.e up to the conclusion of the Gangaur festival when the girls break their pots and throw the debris into the well or a tank and enjoys a feast with the collection made.

The Gangaur of is famous in all over the world. In Jodhpur, a sweet dish called a "Peda" is characteristic of the Gangaur festival. People buy "Peda" to eat and distribute it among their friends and relatives. A procession, with the statue of Gauri, forms at the Palace known as Rakhi House and moves on the city streets passing  and reassemble on Jalori Gate with artist who were the get of different mythological  & historical characters on a trolly, people from nearby areas witness the procession..