Gangaur FestivalRajasthan is globally acclaimed for colorful and vibrant fairs & festivals. Fairs & festivals here are celebrated with  great zeal and enthusiasm. Travelers from all over the world make frequent visits of Rajasthan to witness its colorful fairs and festivals. Gangaur Festival is one of the most important fairs and festivals of Rajasthan. In some form or the other, this fabulous festival is celebrated through out the entire Rajasthan. "Gan" is a synonym of Hindu God - Lord Shiva. "Gauri" is a synonym of Goddess Parvati - the heavenly consort of Lord Shiva. Hence, this festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati.
Gangaur Festival celebrates the union of the two and is a symbol of conjugal and marital happiness. This fabulous and auspicious festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra (March-April. The Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu calendar.
This month is auspicious for Rajasthani people and marks the end of winter and the advent of spring. This auspicious festival is celebrated especially by women and young girls. On the eve of Gangaur festival women decorate their palms and fingers with henna (Mehandi) designs. Women and young girls beautiful beautify themselves with exquisite jewellery and colorful bright attire.
During this festival women and girls worship the idols of goddess Parvati and her consort Lord Shiva. Unmarried girls worship and pray for good husband. Married women pray for the good health, prosperity and long health of their husbands. This auspicious festival which starts form the first day of the Chaitra month culminates on the 18th day into Gangaur festival with a great religious fervor, zeal and enthusiasm. On the last day of the festival, the idols of Gan and Gauri are engrossed in pond or in a near by lake. 
A traditional pageant of Gangaur starts form the Zanani- Deodhi of the City Palace, passing through Tripolia Bazaar, Chhoti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, Chaugan stadium and finally converges near the Talkatora. The pageant is headed by a colorful spectacle of elephants, old palanquins, chariots, bullock carts, camel carts and performance folk artists. So, come to Udaipur to witness this festival. Udaipur is well-connected by rail, road and air. |
