Gangaur Festival

Come and join in the Gangaur festivities and prayers that celebrate marital happiness and love. Celebrated every year a fortnight after the Holi festivities, the Gangaur festival is an important part of the brilliant Jaipur cultural fabric.

The Gangaur festival in Jaipur is a special religious occasion for the women of Rajasthan.

General gaiety and happiness is accompanied by serious dedication to special rituals that are believed to be extremely significant for a virtuous woman, in love with her husband.

The Gangaur festival in Jaipur is celebrated in honor of Goddess Gauri or Parvati who is the consort of Lord Shiva according to Hindu mythology. Besides Jaipur, Gangaur is performed with equal zeal and enthusiasm in several other parts of Rajasthan, India. Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Nathdwara and Jodhpur also celebrate Gangaur with spirit.

Women come together and decorate idols of Isar and Gangaur while performing rituals and singing devotional songs. After incantations and prayers these idols are placed on the heads of married women who have the privilege of carrying them for immersion. Young girls sing traditional Ghudlia songs and carry earthen pots with tiny lamps in them.

The Gangaur festival that is celebrated with a lot of fanfare in Jaipur is equally significant for young girls, as it is believed that if single girls observe specific rituals during the 14-day period preceding Gangaur, then they are sure to get married to a groom of their choice.

Relatives and friends distribute sweetmeats and exchange presents during the 18-day Gangaur festival and Jaipur vibrates with cultural fiestas like puppet shows, folk dance performances, music extravaganzas and more.