gangaur | Festivals of Jaipur

FESTIVALS OF JAIPUR
Gangaur Festival A festival devoted to Goddess Parvati, the whole power and wife of Lord Shiva. Ishar & Gangaur are the divine male and female ho embody marital love. Gauri (Parvati) is the main goddess to whom this festival is dedicated. Gangaur is one of the important festivals in Rajasthan, which is celebrated a fortnight after Holi. It is perhaps the only festival in Rajasthan that is celebrated for 18 days. Celebrated in honor of Goddess Paravati, Gangaur festival is celebrated by the womenfolk of Rajasthan. On the occasion of the festival, offerings are made to the Goddess Parvati. The festival is considered an auspicious occasion for young people to choose their life partners. The festival is a treat to watch in Jaipur and Udaipur. The festival is celebrated also in Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. During the festival, images of Gauri, the other name of Goddess Paravati and Shiva called Gan are taken out in colorful processions. Married women fast during the festival and prepare sweet dishes and make offering to Goddess Parvati. Ghewar is the most popular sweet that is served during the festival. The sweet is the most common item that is distributed among friends and relatives during the festival. The ceremony attracts a number of tourists and locals. The whole event comes to an end with the display of wonderful fireworks on the bank of Pichola Lake. Jaipur also attracts a number of tourists during Teej festival. The city wears a festive look with streets and shops are beautifully decorated. The procession carrying the images of Shival and Parvati passes through the streets of Jaipur and people come out of their homes to watch the beautiful procession. Jaipur presents a wonderful look during the festive season. The festival commences on Holi/ Young girls pray for rooms of their choice while married women seek a long life for their husbands. rhe ladies decorate their hands and feet )y drawing designs with Mehendi (Myrtle Jaste). after 7 days of Holi, unmarried girls go around singing songs of ghudlia (earthern pots with numerous holes all around with a lamp lit aside) carrying the pots on their hands. )n their way they collect small presents ,f cash, sweets, jaggery, ghee, oil etc. The women do these while chanting hymns to the Goddess. Festivities continue for 18 days ending with the arrival of Lord Shiva to escort his bride home. A grand process Ion with the ideal of Gauri in beautifully decorated gold and silver a palanquin caparisoned elephants, camels, horses, dances, drummers & joyous children, goes through the city streets. In Jaipur procession forms at the Palace Gate known as Tripolia and moves on the city streets on to Talkatora. at end the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. A magnificent spectactle, it unveils the majesty and grandeur of elephants celebrated around Holi. The Mahavats or owners proudly decorate their elephants with bright colours, jhool., (saddle cloth) and heavy jewellary. A royal procession of decorated elephants, a match of elephant polo, an elephant race and playing Holi on elephants are main events.