Gangaur

Gangaur (, ISO 15919: Gaṇagaura ) is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Malwa , Nimaad regions (Barwani, Khargone, Khandwa etc.) of Madhya Pradesh , Braj and Bundelkhand regions in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It is also celebrated in some parts of Gujarat and West Bengal. A variation of same festival known as "Chaitra Gauri Vrat" is observed on the same day in the states of Maharashtra & North Karnataka. Another variation called 'Saubhagya Gauri Vratam' is observed in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Gangaur is a colorful and one of the most important festivals of the people of Rajasthan and is observed throughout the state with great fervor and devotion by womenfolk who worship Goddess Gauri, the wife of Shiva during the month of Chaitra (March–April). It is the celebration of spring, harvest, marital fidelity, conjugal blessedness and childbearing. Gana is a synonym for Shiva and Gaur which stands for Gauri or Parvati who symbolizes Saubhagya (marital bliss). Unmarried women worship her for being blessed with a good husband, while married women do so for the welfare, health, and long life of their husbands and happy married life. People who migrated from Rajasthan to Kolkata in West Bengal continued celebrating Gangaur. This celebration is now more than a 100 years old in Kolkata. The 2023 date for the festival is 24 March. Rites and Rituals The festival commences on the first day of chaitra, the day following Holi, and continues for 16 days. For a newly-wedded girl, it is binding to observe the full course of 18 days of the festival that succeeds her marriage. Even unmarried girls fast for the full period of 16 days and eat only one meal a day. Festivity consummates on 3rd day of Shukla paksha of Chaitra Month. Fairs (Gangaur Melas) are held throughout the 18-day period. Numerous folklores are associated with Gangaur which makes this festival deeply ingrained into the hearts of Rajasthan, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana & Gujarat.