Gangaur Festival

Celebrated with utmost faith throughout the state of Rajasthan, Gangaur Festival begins the very next day of Holi (the Festival Of Colors) and lasts for 10 days. It is held during March - April. This festival is a celebration of two events, i.e. the arrival of monsoon and harvest, and martial fidelity. Womenfolk take the lead in this festival. They make clay idols of Isar (Lord Shiva) and Gaur (Goddess Gauri-Lord Shiva's consort) who are worshiped for their blessings during the festival.

The married women pray to the goddess Gauri, who symbolizes marital bliss, for good health, healthy mind and long life of their husbands whereas the spinsters offer prayers for a life partner who is gifted with qualities of Lord Shiva. Erstwhile Rajput families used to show a great deal of passion about Gangaur Festival. They would call celebrated painters to paint the idols of the divine.

Mehandi (henna) occupies a prized place in the celebration of Gangaur. Married women as well as the unmarried color their hands with beautiful designs of mehandi. Not only Rajasthani women but also men are experts in making amazing mehandi designs. The celebration is incomplete without satisfying the sweet tooth with the famous sweet called Ghewar. The locals eat and also distribute the sweet amongst their relatives. It is really tasty.

During the last three days of Gangaur Festival, the women decorate the divine idols with new dresses and jewelry and take out processions in the streets. Finally the festival comes to an end when the divine idols are bid goodbye by leaving them in the waters of a tank or pond.