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Celebrated exactly fourteen days after Holi, the Gangaur
festival is celebrated with pomp and enthusiasm all
over Jaipur and several other parts of Rajasthan, India.
The women of Jaipur adorn themselves in fine clothes
and traditional jewelry and come together to invoke
the blessings of Goddess Parvati. Young girls observe
fasts and observe several traditional rituals that they
believe will help them choose good husbands. Parents
prefer it very much if their daughters find suitable
grooms during the Gangaur festival as it is considered
as a very auspicious time.
Women gather the ashes of bonfires burnt on the night
of Holi and bury wheat and barley seeds in these ashes.
These seeds are watered for a day or two till they germinate.
On the day four after Holi, women come together in communities
and make clay idols of Gauri, an incarnation of Goddess
Parvati. These idols are decorated with traditional
attire and jewelry and worshipped by singing devotional
folk songs.
Men and women come out in colorful processions carrying
idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on the streets
of Jaipur. Married women prepare homemade Ghewar to
offer to the Goddess Parvati. Ghewar is popular Jaipur
sweet that is prepared on a large scale during the Gangaur
festival.
Men, women and children buy new clothes, families exchange
gifts and women pray with complete devotion for a prosperous
married life as the Gangaur festival celebrations.
Watch folk artists in gay colors, see puppet shows and
watch enthralling fireworks that light up the Jaipur
skies as the people of Jaipur celebrate Gangaur with
devotion and gaiety.
Rajasthan Holiday offers online booking for tours to
the Gangaur festival in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. For
details please fill up the form provided below.
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