GANGAUR 2023

 


Gangaur Festival 2023: Celebrating Marital Happiness and Purity in Rajasthan

The Gangaur festival, also known as Gauri Puja or Gauri Tritiya, is a popular and colorful festival celebrated in the Indian state of Rajasthan. This festival is dedicated to Goddess Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva, and is celebrated by women and girls to pray for marital happiness, fertility, and prosperity.


In 2023, the Gangaur festival will be celebrated on April 6 and April 7. This festival is observed for 18 days, starting from the day of Holi and concluding on the third day after full moon day. During this period, women and girls dress up in traditional Rajasthani attire, sing songs, and offer prayers to the Goddess Gauri.


The first day of the festival is called the "Gan" day, which is when clay idols of Gauri and Shiva are made and decorated with colorful clothes, jewelry, and flowers. These idols are taken out in a procession, accompanied by music and dance, to a nearby pond or river for immersion. This symbolizes the return of Gauri to her husband's abode after a visit to her parents' home.



The second day of the festival is called the "Gauri" day, which is when married women worship Gauri for the longevity and well-being of their husbands, while unmarried girls pray for a suitable life partner. Women also observe a fast on this day, which is broken only after offering prayers to the moon at night.


Apart from the religious significance, the Gangaur festival is also an occasion for socializing, feasting, and enjoying the cultural heritage of Rajasthan. The markets are filled with colorful clothes, jewelry, and handicrafts, while the streets come alive with music, dance, and street performances. Traditional Rajasthani food such as dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, and ghewar are also served during this festival.


However, in recent years, the Gangaur festival has also faced some challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the need for social distancing and restrictions on public gatherings, many of the traditional celebrations have been scaled down or modified. Nevertheless, the spirit of the festival remains strong, and people are finding new ways to celebrate while following the safety guidelines.

In conclusion, the Gangaur festival in 2023 is a time for celebrating the beauty, grace, and resilience of Rajasthani culture. It is a reminder of the importance of love, respect, and happiness in married life, and the need to cherish and nurture these values. Let us hope that this festival brings joy, peace, and prosperity to all, and that we emerge stronger and wiser from the challenges of these times.

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