Women pray for their husbands' long life, excellent health, and enduring marriage partnership on this day. According to the legend surrounding this festival, Goddess Parvati underwent a protracted period of hard penance in order to win the hand of Lord Shiva. Her commitment enabled her to achieve her goals. The 18-day Gangaur festival commemorates Lord Shiva transporting his wife Parvati to her parents' house for their post-marriage meeting.
According to the Hindu calendar, this well-known festival honouring Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is observed on Tritiya tithi, Shukla paksha, and Chaitra month. The 24th of March 2023 will mark the Gangaur Festival. Although married women in every Hindu family participate in the festivities, the event is also commemorated by a royal procession that travels through Jaipur's Old City with the highest pomp and ceremony. Two Rajasthani cities that regularly host royal processions are Jaipur and Udaipur. The parade in Jaipur travels past Janani-Deodhi, the renowned City Palace, Choti Chaupar, Tripoliya Bazaar, Gangauri Bazaar, and Talkatora stadium. Although Udaipur also conducts a similar parade, Jaipur's celebrations are more larger.
Many tourists are drawn to this occasion, and many are astounded by how big the celebrations are. For this event, there are no tickets required.
History of Gangaur
In Rajasthan, the processions and celebration of Gangaur date back to ancient times. This holiday was first observed by the former royal family and is still celebrated today. There is a sweet legend around Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati that is connected to this saubhagya or marital happiness celebration. According to legend, Goddess Parvati performed severe penance and prayed for Lord Shiva to propose to her. She was wed to Lord Shiva in a lavish ceremony since she was thought of be the essence of the deity. After getting married, she returns to her parents' house for the Gangaur festival to ask for their blessings and enjoy some time with them. She had a lavish farewell to return to her husband's house following a royal feast. Another highly lucky day, Gangaur, is ideal for setting wedding dates.
Highlights of Gangaur
Both married and single women undertake extensive Gangaur Pooja on the day of Gangaur. This pooja is performed to ask the Gods for their blessings and the pleasure of the couples' marriages. Married ladies wish for their spouses' long life, excellent health, and happiness. Inferior soulmates are a wish of single ladies. The Gangaur Festival's main features are listed below.
Sinjara
Married women receive gifts from their parents a day before Gangaur, including jewellery, clothing, sweets like ghevar, and more. The term for it is sinjara. Many sweets and savoury foods are made at home. Women congregate to perform songs and dye their hands with henna.
creating clay statues
Holika Dahan's ashes are gathered and taken home. To create the idols of Gangaur and Isar Ji, it is used with clay. Wooden representations of the deity are revered in various cultures. These statues or idols are positioned in a basket filled with flowers and grass to symbolise a bountiful harvest.
preparations for pooja
Married ladies prepare for this holiday by dressing in their bridal finery or traditional costumes, wearing hefty jewellery, dotting their hands with henna, applying cosmetics, and generally making themselves seem their best for the puja.
Gaura Puja
Ladies sit in a circle with the idols of Gaur and Isarji at the front as part of the elaborate Gangaur Puja. The tale of Gangaur, which is said to be extremely auspicious, is told. They say the customary Gangaur prayers while holding doob or grass in both hands. "Gaur Gaur Gomti, Isar Puje Parvati" chants echo and spread a good energy. The deity receives offerings of sweets like ghevar. On this day, females observe a fast.