Gangaur

Gangaur is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly by women in Rajasthan and parts of northern and western India, beginning the day after Holi and lasting 16 days in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March–April). It honours Gauri (Parvati) and Shiva, focusing on spring, harvest, and prayers for marital happiness and prosperity.

• Celebrated mainly by Hindu women in Rajasthan and nearby regions
• Lasts 16 days from the day after Holi in the month of Chaitra
• Features processions with decorated idols of Gauri and Shiva
• Unmarried girls fast and carry ghudlias, singing traditional songs
• Major festivities in Jaipur and Udaipur with processions and immersion rituals

What it is

Gangaur is one of Rajasthan’s most cherished festivals, observed with devotion by Hindu women across the state and in neighbouring regions. The festival is dedicated to Gauri (Parvati), the consort of Shiva, and celebrates the themes of spring, harvest, marital fidelity, and childbearing. Married women pray for the health and longevity of their husbands, while unmarried women seek blessings for a good marriage. The rituals and celebrations are vibrant, involving worship, fasting, and community gatherings, and the festival is a time for women to express their hopes and gratitude through song, art, and processions.

Where it comes from

The origins of Gangaur are rooted in Hindu mythology. According to legend, Parvati once blessed the women of a village for their devotion, ensuring them lasting marriages. This act, and her subsequent worship of Shiva, established the tradition of women seeking blessings for marital happiness during this period. The festival’s name combines 'Gana', meaning group (linked to Shiva), and 'Gauri', an epithet for Parvati. Over time, Gangaur became especially significant in Rajasthan, where it is now a major annual event, and has inspired variations in other Indian states.

How it is celebrated

Gangaur begins on the first day of Chaitra, right after Holi, and continues for 16 days. Women craft clay or wooden idols of Gauri and Shiva, decorating them with new garments and vibrant colours. Unmarried girls often fast, eating only one meal a day, while married women observe rituals for their husbands’ wellbeing. Mehndi designs adorn hands and feet, and unmarried girls carry ghudlias—earthen pots with lamps—singing traditional songs and collecting gifts. The festival features daily worship, folk songs, and processions, especially in the final days. In Jaipur, the festival is marked by a grand procession and the sharing of ghevar, a local sweet, while in Udaipur, processions end with the immersion of the idols at Gangaur Ghat on Lake Pichola.

Joining in

Visitors can witness Gangaur’s most lively celebrations in Rajasthan, particularly in Jaipur and Udaipur. In Jaipur, a colourful procession winds through the old city, drawing crowds from all backgrounds. Udaipur’s festivities centre on Gangaur Ghat, where processions, folk performances, and the immersion of idols create a festive atmosphere along the lake. Expect music, traditional dress, and a sense of community as locals and travellers come together to honour Gauri and Shiva. Participation is respectful and open, but observing local customs and joining in the public celebrations is the best way to experience Gangaur.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Gangaur, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Gangaur on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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