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Rajasthan
Fairs & Festivals - Gangaur Fair
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Gangaur is a significant festival
of Jaipur, especially meant for the women. Gangaur festival is
widely acclaimed and celebrated throughout the state of
Rajasthan. The word Gangaur is derived from two words, 'Gan' and
'Gauri' which are synonyms of 'Siva' and his consort 'Parvati'
respectively. The festival of Gangaur starts with the subsequent
day of Holi and persists for about 2 weeks. Gangaur is
celebrated in the honor of Goddess Gauri, who is considered as
the symbol of virtue, devotion, fertility and a perfect married
woman.
The womenfolk of Rajasthan worship Gauri with all the means of
devotion. The married women worship Gauri for the well-being of
their husband, while the unmarried girls worship the goddess to
get the husband of their choice. The festival begins with the
custom of gathering ashes from the Holi Fire and burying the
seeds of barley in it. After it, the seeds are watered everyday
awaiting the germination. |
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The ceremony takes place with the praiseful songs for Isar (Siva) and
Gauri. The women apply henna on their hands to celebrate the auspicious
festival. They carry painted matkas (water pots) on their heads. They
also make images of Gauri and Isar with clay. On the seventh evening
after Holi, unmarried girls assemble and take out a procession with 'Ghudlia'
(an earthen pot with holes around and a lamp inside) on their heads. The
ceremony continues for a fortnight. The girls are gifted with sweets,
ghee and cash by the elders.
During the last days of the festival, the celebration reaches to its
height. On the final day, lively images of Gauri are taken out in
procession escorted by traditionally dressed camels, bullock carts,
horses and elephants. Songs are sung about the departure of Gauri to her
husband's home. The procession is wrapped up with the breaking of pots
and throwing the trash into a tank or pond. This traditional festival of
Gangor is celebrated in Jaipur from ages and forms a special attraction
for any visitor.
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Other Fairs & Festivals:
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Nagaur Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb.) |
Kite Festival (held on 14th Jan of
every year) |
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Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.) |
Baneshwar Fair, Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.) |
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Gangaur Festival, Jaipur
(March-April) |
Mewar Festival, Udaipur (March-April) |
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Elephant Festival, Jaipur
(March-April) |
Urs Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer (According
to Lunar Calendar) |
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Summer Festival, Mt.Abu (June) |
Teej Festival, Jaipur (July-August) |
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Kajli Teej, Bundi
(July-August)
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Dussehra Festival, Kota (October) |
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Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October) |
Pushkar Fair, Ajmer (November) |
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Camel Festival, Bikaner (January) |
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