The Festival of Gangaur

- January 24, 2024

In the month of Chaitra, falling between March and April, parts of North and Central India celebrate the festival of Gangaur. The word Gangaur comes from ‘gana’ referring to Shiva and ‘gaur’ which refers to Gauri, another name for Parvati.

Gangaur
Illustration: P.B. Kavadi

This festival is dedicated to Parvati, the goddess of marriage and fertility, and is celebrated for 18 days, mainly by the women. Small clay idols of Shiva and Parvati are worshipped and carried around town during this festival. The women fast, sing songs, decorate their hands with Mehandi (Henna) and pray for the welfare of their families.

According to local legends, this festival marks the first time Parvati visited her mother’s house, after her marriage to Shiva. On the last day of Gangaur, the clay idols of Shiva and Parvati are immersed in water to signify Parvati’s return to Kailash.

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