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About Gangaur

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About Gangaur

Gangaur is a spring festival of Rajasthan honouring Gauri, a form of Goddess Parvati, and her husband Isar, a form of Lord Shiva. The name joins Gan, for Shiva, and Gaur, for Gauri.

Prayers begin the day after Holi and run for about eighteen days, ending on the third day of the bright half of Chaitra. Married women pray for the well-being of their families, and young girls pray to the goddess for a good life partner.

Women make clay images of Gauri and Isar, apply mehendi, sing Gangaur songs and carry the decorated idols in colourful processions to a lake or well on the last day. Jaipur and Udaipur hold grand Gangaur processions, and ghewar is the sweet of the season.

  • Starts the day after Holi
  • Ends on Chaitra Shukla Tritiya
  • About 18 days
  • Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat

Where it began

The name joins Gan, another name for Shiva, and Gaur, Gauri, another name for Parvati. Gauri stands for married bliss and devotion, and the festival celebrates the love between her and Shiva.

Legend says Parvati prayed and fasted for a long time to win Shiva as her husband. Later she returned to her parents' home, and when she went back with Shiva, she was given a loving send off. Gangaur is said to recall that journey and the blessing she gave to the women of her home.

Women make or buy images of Gauri and Isar, worship them each morning, sing Gangaur songs and finally take them in procession to a lake, river or well, saying goodbye to Gauri until next year.

An old Rajasthani painting of a royal Gangaur processionRajasthan

How it grew over time

  1. Old times

    Women in the Rajput lands of Rajasthan keep the fast and songs of Gangaur in their homes.

  2. Princely states

    Royal courts in Jaipur, Udaipur and other kingdoms lead grand Gangaur processions with elephants and bands.

  3. 1900s

    Marwari families who move to Kolkata, Mumbai and other cities take the festival with them.

  4. Today

    Gangaur is a major festival of Rajasthan and draws visitors to see the processions.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Jaipur

    A procession of the Gangaur idol leaves the old City Palace with bands, horses and folk dancers.

  • Udaipur

    Processions reach Gangaur Ghat on Lake Pichola, and boats carry the idols on the water.

  • Jodhpur and Bikaner

    Women gather in groups to sing and carry decorated pots, and Jodhpur keeps its own lively customs.

  • Kolkata and other cities

    Marwari communities hold Gangaur fairs and processions to the river.

Gangaur moments

The City Palace of Udaipur, from where royal Gangaur processions set outUdaipur, Rajasthan
Sunset over Lake Pichola, where the festival ends by the waterUdaipur, Rajasthan
Gangaur Ghat on Lake Pichola, named after the festivalUdaipur, Rajasthan
A lakeside temple on Lake PicholaUdaipur, Rajasthan

Gangaur today

For many days women rise early, gather flowers and water, and sing to Gauri. Newly married women keep the full 18 days, often at their parents' home.

Hands are decorated with mehendi, women wear bright lehariya and bandhej, and homes share ghewar and other sweets. On the last day, processions with music and dance take the idols to the water.

How people celebrate Gangaur

  • Clay images of Gauri and Isar
  • Mehendi and festive dress
  • Singing Gangaur geet
  • Processions to a lake or well
  • Ghewar and festive sweets

How to wish well

  • Greet on the last and biggest day, Chaitra shukla tritiya.
  • Blessings for a happy home and a loving marriage suit the day best.
  • Keep jokes light and kind; the festival is devotional for many women.

Questions about Gangaur

When is Gangaur 2027?

The main day of Gangaur in 2027 is on 9 April, the third day of the bright half of Chaitra.

Why is Gangaur celebrated?

It honours Goddess Gauri and Lord Isar (Shiva). Women pray for a happy married life and the well-being of their families.

How many days is Gangaur?

The prayers start the day after Holi and last about eighteen days, ending on Chaitra shukla tritiya.

What do you say on Gangaur?

Say "Happy Gangaur" or in Hindi "Gangaur ki hardik shubhkamnayein".

Where is Gangaur celebrated?

Mainly in Rajasthan, and also in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and by Marwari families in West Bengal and other states.

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