Celebrating Gangaur Festival in Udaipur (Mewar Festival)

Gangaur is celebrated all over Rajasthan, and is one of the state's most important festivals. The most notable celebrations take place in Udaipur,,Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Nathdwara. In Udaipur, Gangaur coincides with the Mewar Festival.The word Gangaur is derived from two words, 'Gan' and 'Gauri' which are synonyms of 'Siva' and his consort 'Parvati' respectively. It commences on the day following Holi and continues for 18 days.Gangaur is all about honoring the goddess Gauri. A manifestation of Parvati (Lord Shiva's wife), she represents purity and austerity.Gangaur signifies Lord Shiva and Parvati together. It's believed that Parvati returned to her parental home during Gangaur, to bless her friends with marital bliss. On the last day, Parvait was given a grand farewell by her loved ones and Lord Shiva arrived to escort her home.Gangaur is a festival celebrated in the Indian state of Rajasthan.Gangaur is the colourful and the one of the most important festivals of people of Rajasthan.Gangaur Festivals holds a special significance for the Rajasthanis. It is celebrated in honour of Gauri, the goddess of abundance.This spring festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal all over Rajasthan.Young girls adorned in their best clothes pray for a spouse of their choice. The married ladies pray for the welfare of their husbands.Unmarried women worship the Goddess for being blessed with good husband. Gangaur Festival also celebrates monsoon, harvest and marital fidelity.The first important ritual of the colourful festival of Gangaur is the collection of ashes from the Holi fire and burying of wheat and barley seeds in it.The ceremony takes place with the praiseful songs for Isar (Siva) and Gauri. The women apply henna on their hands to celebrate the auspicious festival.The idols of Gan and Gaur are submerged in a pond or river on the last day of the festivity. Grand processions are then carried on from different parts of Rajasthan. The colorful processions look like a king is arriving to the state.