goddess of abundance. GANGAUR
Date : This spring festival is held
in March-April in honour of Gauri, the goddess of abundance.
Legend/s : Gauri or Parvati is the wife of Shiva or the destroyer in the Hindu trinity. She is the symbol of virtue and fidelity and as such is the mythological role model of married women.
Practice : Gangaur is the most important local festival in Rajasthan. Girls dress up in their finest clothes and pray for a spouse of their choice, while married women do the same for the happiness and long life of their husbands. Although celebrated throughout Rajasthan with great enthusiasm, the celebrations in Jaipur and Udaipur have their own charm and attraction. The festival is also celebrated with great pomp and show in Bikaner, Jodhpur, Marathwara and Jaisalmer.
Girls worship the goddess throughout the preceding fortnight.
Colourful images of Gauri, beautifully dressed and bejewelled are taken out in procession
accompanied by the town band. A boat procession in Pichola is also taken out. Women
balance brass pitchers on their heads and the lake adds to the gaiety of Udaipur
celebrations. Thousands of people from the countryside come to take part in the procession
of the Gangaur image from village to village. The tribal men and women have an opportunity
to meet and interact freely and during this time, they select partners and marry by
eloping. An unusual, romantic custom, which is sanctioned by the community.
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