Traditional Songs of the Festival
Gangaur Geet are traditional folk songs sung during the Gangaur festival, especially in Rajasthan and nearby regions. These songs are an essential part of the celebration and are deeply rooted in the cultural and religious life of the community. They express devotion to Goddess Gauri (Parvati) and Lord Shiva, celebrate marital love and harmony, and narrate folk stories, daily rituals and aspirations connected with Gangaur.
When and Why Gangaur Geet Are Sung
1. During Daily Puja and Fasting Days
Women sing Gangaur Geet during daily worship (puja) while observing fasts throughout the festival period. The songs are offered as a form of devotional expression, invoking blessings for the well-being of husbands (for married women) or a good life partner (for unmarried girls).
2. While Preparing Rituals
Certain songs are sung while performing specific tasks — for example, while bringing water, collecting clay or decorating idols. These ritual-linked songs help create a festive and sacred atmosphere in the home.
3. During Processions
On the final days, when idols of Gauri and Isar are carried in procession for immersion (visarjan), women and communities sing processional Gangaur Geet to celebrate union and farewell rituals.
What Gangaur Geet Often Express
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Devotion and praise of Goddess Gauri and Shiva
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Prayers for marital happiness and longevity
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Scenes from rural life and seasonal change
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Requests for prosperity and well-being of family
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Joyful celebration of spring and community bonds
Songs often include local names of family members (like husband, brother, sisters-in-law) and are sometimes adapted to personal life situations, reflecting the singer’s emotion and prayerful requests.
Sample Lyrics and Themes
Below are example lines from traditional Gangaur Geet, showing devotional and cultural themes
1. Gaur Aye Gangaur Mata (Opening/Prayer Song)
“Gauri, oh Gangaur Mother, open the door…
Here are your devotees singing in praise,
May we receive food, wealth, and prosperity.”
(This type of song is usually sung at the start of puja or ritual work.)
2. Champa Ri Dali – Hindo Mandyo (Decorative/Family Song)
“Branches of Champa, silk threads tied…
Lord Isardas has arrived with Gauri,
Precious silk and embroidery we bring…
In the festival we sing and pray.”
(These lyrics celebrate ritual adornment and familial wishes.)
3. El Khel Nadi Beva (Visarjan/Water Song)
“The water of the river flows,
Isar gets bathed, Gauri is bathed,
Their union is celebrated,
Blessings come from every side.”
(Sung near the time of immersion, highlighting ritual cleansing and joy.)
(Note: Lyrics vary widely by region and community; these are typical examples rather than fixed, universal lines.)
Gangaur Geet Playlist with Meanings
1. “Gaur Aayi Gangaur Mata”
When it is sung: At the beginning of Gangaur puja
Meaning:
This song welcomes Goddess Gauri into the home. It is a respectful invitation asking the goddess to enter, bless the family, and bring happiness, food, and prosperity.
Why it’s important:
It sets the spiritual tone of the festival and teaches children about welcoming divinity with love and respect.
2. “Kivadi Khol Ne Gangaur Mata”
When it is sung: While starting daily worship
Meaning:
Women ask Goddess Gangaur to “open the door” and accept their prayers. The door here symbolizes the heart and home.
Why it’s important:
It explains the idea of devotion in a gentle, story-like way that kids easily understand.
3. “Isar Gauri Re Joda Ne”
When it is sung: During idol decoration and family gatherings
Meaning:
The song praises the divine couple Shiva (Isar) and Parvati (Gauri) and celebrates their loving relationship.
Why it’s important:
It teaches values of companionship, balance, and mutual respect in marriage.
4. “Champa Ri Dali Upar”
When it is sung: While decorating idols and preparing offerings
Meaning:
Using flowers, silk, and nature imagery, the song describes beauty, grace, and festive joy surrounding Gangaur.
Why it’s important:
It connects nature, art, and devotion—perfect for helping kids understand folk imagination.
5. “Gangaur Ka Geet Suhana”
When it is sung: Group singing in the evenings
Meaning:
This song talks about the joy of Gangaur celebrations, community singing, and togetherness.
Why it’s important:
It highlights how festivals are about sharing happiness, not just rituals.
6. “Hinda Re Gangaur”
When it is sung: During traditional household rituals
Meaning:
The lyrics describe daily life, relationships, and hopes woven into devotion to Goddess Gauri.
Why it’s important:
It helps visitors understand how festivals reflect everyday life and emotions.
7. “Isar Nahaye, Gauri Nahaye”
When it is sung: Near water rituals or before immersion
Meaning:
The song symbolically talks about purification, renewal, and blessings through water.
Why it’s important:
It introduces kids to the idea of cleansing and new beginnings in a gentle way.
8. “Gangaur Mata Ki Bidaai”
When it is sung: On the final day during visarjan (farewell)
Meaning:
This emotional song bids farewell to Goddess Gauri, thanking her for blessings and asking her to return next year.
Why it’s important:
It teaches gratitude, closure, and respect for tradition.
Types and Variations of Gangaur Geet
During Gangaur, women sing many different categories of songs, each linked to specific parts of the festival and home rituals:
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किवाड़ी खुलवाने का गीत (Kivadi Kholvane Ka Geet): Sung when “opening the door” of worship and starting puja.
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पूजा के समय Geet (Puja songs): Devotional songs used during daily worship.
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हिंडा के गीत (Hinda songs): Reflect folk motifs and local customs.
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चुनड़ी/टीकी/चोपड़ा के गीत: Sung during specific ceremony activities such as tying chunris (scarves) or preparing ritual items like tikki.
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आरती: A song specifically used during the aarti ritual of the idol.
Across regions, different melodies, dialects and variations exist, but they all share devotional sentiment and cultural continuity.
Special Ritual Contexts for Singing
Daily Puja
Women gather around the idol of Gauri and Shiva, singing Geet while offering flowers, incense, and other items — creating a devotional space in the home.
Processions and Farewells
On the final day, when idols are taken for immersion, songs like those expressing farewell and blessing are sung with energy and emotion.
Community Singing
In some regions, songs are sung collectively, making Gangaur not just a family ritual but a community musical expression that strengthens social bonds.
Cultural and Emotional Significance
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Devotional Expression: Through song, women express deep devotion, love, and hopes connected with Goddess Gauri’s blessings.
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Social Bonding: Singing together reinforces community and shared heritage.
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Personal Prayer: Many lyrics are tailored with family names or wishes, making the songs personal and heartfelt.
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Cultural Continuity: Gangaur Geet preserve folk language, rhythms, and stories that might otherwise fade, passing tradition across generations.
गणगौर के बारे मे और जानने के लिए क्लिक करें