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.
