The significance of Gangaur Festival –
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Image Source: - https://pinkcity.com/2014/04/01/gangaur-festival-2014-in-rajasthan/[/caption]Gangaur festival is associated with an amalgamation of Lord Shiva denoted as Gan and Goddess Parvati denoted as Gauri. The festival celebrates their reunion and has become a symbol of marital bliss and devotion for all married and unmarried women. It is believed that Goddess Parvati was attracted towards Lord Shiva by the dedicated meditation and devotion. By seeing the dedication of goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva got impressed by her and married her on this day. Afterward, the Lord visit to meet her parents, where she stayed for 18 days and on the last day a grand farewell was organized for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati came down to earth to leave her to home.
The best place to enjoy the Gangaur celebration –
Gangaur is widely celebrated throughout the state with great enthusiasm and zeal. However, there are some places which are famous for its grand celebration like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Bikaner, Nathdwara and many others. To get in the festival in the best way then you can plan your Jaisalmer Jodhpur Tour Package.
Traditions and rituals of Gangaur -
In all the cities of Rajasthan, women are dressed up in traditional attire and wear silver and gold jewelry. They pray for the well-being of their consort every day for 18 days in the morning and evening. Local artisans made the idols of Lord Shiva and Lord Preservatives with clay. These idols are decorated and placed in a wicker basket filled with grass and flowers. Wheatgrass is an important element of this festival. Newly married women observe fast for the whole day continuously for 18 days. On the 7th day, unmarried women bring burning lamps inside a clay pot and place it on their head. They sing traditional songs as they hold the water pot on their head. Fasting women receive gifts from their elders as their blessings.
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Image Source:- https://www.avenuemail.in/jamshedpur/hundreds-of-devotees-participate-in-gangaur-immersion-procession-in-jamshedpur/118263/[/caption]On the 17th day, parents of married women send their blessings and gifts to their daughter. On the 18th day, a grand occasion is conducted where a large idol of Goddess Parvati is decorated and taken throughout the city. Women bring water pots on their heads to reach the river bank. Once arrived at the bank, these pots are broken and the idols are immersed in the river water.
Plan your trip to Rajasthan in March and get indulge in the charm of festivities and rituals followed in these festivals. Along with enjoying the rituals of Gangaur, you can also explore the major attractions of Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Udaipur in your Rajasthan tour.