Gangaur Festival 2024: Celebrating Femininity in Rajasthan
Gangaur Festival 2024: Honoring the Divine Feminine Power in Rajasthan
The term “Shakti” holds a revered position in Hinduism, representing the feminine principle observed in all aspects of life. As the primal force behind life on Earth, Shakti orchestrates the movement of celestial bodies and natural forces. Recognized as Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, Shakti finds mention in ancient texts like the Vedas and Puranas. Among the myriad forms of Shakti, one is Gauri, celebrated during the Gangaur festival in Rajasthan.
Significance:
Women fervently celebrate Gangaur, praying to Goddess Parvati/Gauri for a prosperous spring and marital bliss. Unmarried girls also participate, seeking blessings for a suitable spouse. The festival symbolizes Parvati’s journey from her parental home to Lord Shiva’s abode, a tale of perseverance and devotion immortalized in ancient texts.
Celebration:
Commencing on March 26th, the first day of Chaitra month, Gangaur spans 18 days, with women observing a fast and worshiping clay idols of Shiva-Gauri. Rajput families revere traditional wooden figurines, embellishing them with wheat grass and flowers. Married women receive Sinjara gift hampers, adorned with clothes, jewelry, and sweets. Mehndi adornments adorn hands and feet during this festive period.
Ceremonious Fair:
Rajasthan’s vibrant celebration of Gangaur features processions adorned with Shiva and Gauri idols. Musicians accompany women clad in traditional attire, culminating in idol immersion ceremonies at wells or water reservoirs. Certain tribes utilize Gangaur as an occasion for matchmaking, fostering interactions among unmarried individuals.
Best Places to Witness:
The grand procession, known as Gangore ki Sawari, will commence on April 11th, traversing through various parts of Rajasthan. The festival epitomizes Rajasthan’s cultural splendour, drawing visitors from far and wide to experience its magnificence. The procession is accompanied by a fair that typically takes place on the same day as the sawari.
Lalit Singh Shekhawat
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