Gangaur is a vibrant and deeply traditional Hindu festival celebrated mainly in Rajasthan, with observances in parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana as well. The name Gangaur comes from two words — “Gan” (a name for Lord Shiva) and “Gauri” (another name for Goddess Parvati, Shiva’s consort) — and the festival honors the eternal bond of love, devotion and marital harmony between Shiva and Parvati.
Cultural and Religious Significance
Traditionally, Gangaur is associated with marital devotion, fertility, and the well-being of family life:
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Married women pray for the long life, health and prosperity of their husbands.
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Unmarried girls and young women observe the festival seeking blessings for a loving and suitable husband in the future.
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The observance also symbolizes spring, renewal, fertility and prosperity, as it takes place in the month of Chaitra (March–April), right after Holi, marking the end of winter and the start of a fruitful season.
statues of Gaur, Isar, Kaniram, Rowa Bai ,Sowa Bai, Malan; White paper, sevian, mehndi, kajal, rice, molly, kodi, turmeric, silver ring, vessel, water urn, cow's milk, doob, comb, Gangaur song book|
Traditional Rituals and Practices
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The festival typically lasts 16 to 18 days, depending on local customs and family traditions. For newly-married women, the observance often extends to 18 days.
1. Installation and Decoration of Idols
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Clay idols of Gauri (Parvati) and Isar (Shiva) are made or brought into homes.
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These idols are traditionally adorned with bright clothes, jewelry and flowers and become the focus of daily prayers and offerings throughout the festival.
2. Fasting and Daily Worship
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Women participate in fasting and ritual worship, performing prayers each morning for divine blessings.
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Many decorate their hands and feet with henna (mehndi), dress in elegant traditional attire, and carry out daily Gauri puja with flowers, incense and sacred offerings.
3. Ghudlia Tradition
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Unmarried girls take part in a unique custom called Ghudlia, where they carry decorated earthen pots with lit lamps (or candles) balanced on their heads.
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They walk through the streets singing traditional songs and are often given gifts like sweets, oil, jaggery or money. This ritual symbolizes light, purity and the spreading of blessings.
4. Fairs, Processions and Community Festivities
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In cities like Jaipur, Udaipur and Bikaner, large Gangaur processions and fairs take place. Women and girls dress in their finest clothes and jewelry, and the idols of Gauri and Isar are carried through the streets with music, singing and folk dance performances.
5. Immersion Ceremony (Visarjan)
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On the final day, the decorated idols are taken in procession to a lake or water body and immersed, marking the symbolic return of the goddess to her divine abode and bringing the festival to a close.
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In Gangaur Festival, women cannot even drink a drop of water before performing the Puja!!!
Regional Flavors and Variations
While the core rituals remain centered around devotion to Gauri and Shiva, the festival has regional variations:
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In Rajasthan, Gangaur is celebrated with great pomp and pageantry, where royal processions, folk music and community gatherings are highlights.
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In some regions, the focus on mehandi, colorful attire and filled earthen pots (Ghudlias) reflects local customs and adds layers of cultural expression to the festival.
Social and Cultural Importance
Gangaur is more than a religious festival — it is a celebration of womanhood, marital ties, family unity and community spirit. The long duration of observance, shared rituals, and festive gatherings reinforce interpersonal bonds and cultural continuity across generations.
The Gangaur procession starts from the City Palace in Tripoliya Gate and ends at Talkatora in Jaipur.
Tradition, Rituals, Puja & Food Customs
Gangaur is one of the most important and deeply rooted festivals of Rajasthan, celebrated with devotion, elegance, and strong cultural symbolism. Dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati) and Lord Shiva, the festival represents marital bliss, feminine strength, fertility, and devotion. Celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March–April), Gangaur begins soon after Holi and marks the arrival of spring and renewal of life.
Traditional Significance of Gangaur
The word Gangaur comes from “Gan” (Lord Shiva) and “Gauri” (Goddess Parvati). The festival commemorates the divine union of Shiva and Parvati, making it especially significant for women.
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Married women pray for the long life, health, and prosperity of their husbands
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Unmarried girls seek blessings for a good life partner
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The festival symbolizes love, loyalty, patience, and family harmony
Gangaur is also seen as a celebration of womanhood, where devotion, grace, and strength are honored through rituals passed down generations.
How Gangaur Is Traditionally Celebrated
Gangaur celebrations usually last 16 days, while newly married women may observe it for 18 days, following family traditions.
1. Installation of Gauri–Isar Idols
Clay idols of Gauri (Parvati) and Isar (Shiva) are brought home or prepared locally. These idols are beautifully decorated with colorful clothes, jewelry, flowers, and ornaments. Women place them in a clean, sacred space for daily worship.
2. Daily Worship and Fasting
Women perform daily puja, often while observing fasts. Prayers are offered with flowers, incense, water, and traditional offerings. Dressing in traditional attire, wearing bangles, and applying mehndi are considered auspicious during this period.
3. Ghudlia Ritual (For Unmarried Girls)
Young girls carry decorated earthen pots with lamps on their heads and walk through neighborhoods singing folk songs. In return, they receive gifts like sweets, oil, grains, or money. This ritual symbolizes purity, devotion, and spreading blessings.
4. Processions and Community Celebrations
In cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner, grand Gangaur processions take place. Women dressed in vibrant Rajasthani attire carry idols through the streets accompanied by folk music, songs, and traditional dances.
5. Visarjan (Immersion Ceremony)
On the final day, idols of Gauri and Isar are taken in procession and immersed in rivers or lakes, symbolizing the goddess’s return to her divine abode and the completion of the festival.
Step-by-Step Gangaur Puja Vidhi
Step 1: Preparation
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Clean the puja area
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Place idols of Gauri and Isar on a decorated platform
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Wear clean traditional clothes
Step 2: Invocation
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Light a diya and incense
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Offer water (jal), flowers, rice, and kumkum
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Invoke Goddess Gauri with prayers and mantras
Step 3: Offerings
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Present fruits, sweets, roli, mehndi, bangles, and flowers
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Married women pray for marital happiness
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Unmarried girls pray for a suitable life partner
Step 4: Aarti and Prayers
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Perform Gauri aarti
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Sing traditional Gangaur songs
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Seek blessings with folded hands
Step 5: Daily Observance
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Repeat puja every day during the festival period
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Maintain fasting as per family tradition
Traditional Food Associated with Gangaur
Food plays an important role in Gangaur celebrations, especially offerings made to the goddess and dishes prepared after the fast.
Common Traditional Dishes
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Ghewar – The most iconic Gangaur sweet, especially in Rajasthan
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Churma – Crushed wheat sweet mixed with ghee and jaggery
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Puri and Dal – Simple and sattvic offerings
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Kheer – Offered as prasad after puja
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Bajra Roti with Ghee – Reflects regional food traditions
These foods symbolize prosperity, nourishment, and gratitude and are often shared with family and neighbors after rituals.
Cultural Importance of Gangaur
Gangaur is more than a religious observance. It strengthens social bonds, preserves folk traditions, and provides a platform for women to express devotion, creativity, and cultural pride. The festival beautifully blends faith, art, music, food, and community life, making it one of Rajasthan’s most cherished celebrations.
इस आर्टिकल को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें