Gangaur Festival

Gangaur, Jaipur ( March-April ):
A festival devoted to Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is time for young girls to dress up in their finery and pray for grooms of their choice while the married women pray for the well-being of their husbands. This 18-day festival is laced with various activities and culminates in a grand procession marking the arrival of Shiva to escort his bride home.

Gangaur Festival, a spirited celebration gets underway every year during the Hindu month of Chaitra (March - April) in Jaipur - A city of pomp and pageantry. Gangaur Festival marks the end of winter and the coming of spring. Mists fade away and the sun shines bright through a clear blue sky. Trees sprout forth new leaves and buds. It is a time to rejoice and celebrate.

'Gan is a synonym for lord Shiva and 'Gaur' or 'Gauri' for Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva and a symbol of conjugal bliss and marital happiness. During the festival, the ladies decorate their palms and fingers with henna (Mehndi). The decorations comprise motifs of flowers, 'swastika', 'chaupar', Sun, Moon, Stars or some Geometrical Designs.

A traditional procession commences from the Zanani-Deorhi of the City Palace, passes through Tripolia Bazaar, Gangauri Bazaar, Chaughan and finally converges near the Talkatora with the image of the deity being immersed in the lake. The procession is headed by a colourful pageantry of elephants, camels, horses, musicians, old palanquins, chariots and bullock carts.

People purchase colourful idols of Gauri and Isar and put them up in their homes to worship at the commencement of the festival. The walls of the room where 'pooja' (Prayer) is performed are whitewashed and the women paint the figures of Isar and Gauri.