Gangaur Festival 2025

Gangaur Mata Jaipur: A Celebration of Spring and Love

Jaipur, the Pink City, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant festivals. One of the most significant festivals celebrated in Jaipur is Gangaur, a vibrant and colorful festival dedicated to Goddess Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva. This spring festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm by women of all ages, who observe fasts and offer prayers to the goddess for marital bliss and prosperity.

Gangaur Puja in 2025 will be celebrated on Monday, March 31, 2025.

The Legend of Gangaur

The legend of Gangaur is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. It is believed that Goddess Parvati, after rigorous penance, was united with Lord Shiva. The festival of Gangaur celebrates this union and signifies the triumph of devotion and perseverance.

The Celebrations

The Gangaur festival is celebrated for sixteen days, starting from the first day of Chaitra, the Hindu New Year. During this period, women observe fasts and offer prayers to Goddess Gauri. They also decorate their homes with colorful rangoli designs and traditional decorations.

The culmination of the festival is marked by a grand procession, where beautifully decorated idols of Goddess Gauri and Lord Shiva are carried through the streets of Jaipur. The procession is accompanied by folk music, dance, and colorful costumes.

• Jaipur is known for its grand Gangaur processions.
• A prominent procession starts from the Zanani-Deodhi of the City Palace.  
• The procession passes through key areas like Tripolia Bazaar, Chhoti Chaupar, and Gangauri Bazaar.  
• The festival includes traditional music, dance, and vibrant displays of Rajasthani culture.  
• A very important part of the Jaipur Gangaur tradition, is the serving of Ghevar, a local sweet.  
• There is also a unique tradition in Jaipur, where for over 263 years, Gangaur Mata has been worshiped alone, without Isarji (Lord Shiva) being present during the main procession.

Timing of Gangaur:

• The festival is observed in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April).  
• It begins the day after Holi and lasts for about 16 to 18 days.
• The culmination of the festival is on the third day of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra.

The Significance of Gangaur

Gangaur is not just a religious festival; it is also a celebration of spring, womanhood, and marital harmony. It is a time for women to come together, share their joys and sorrows, and strengthen their bonds of sisterhood.

• Gangaur is dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati), the consort of Lord Shiva.  
• It celebrates marital fidelity, happiness, and the harvest.  
• Unmarried women worship Gauri for a good husband, while married women pray for the well-being of their husbands.  

The Role of Women

Women play a central role in the Gangaur festival. They observe fasts, offer prayers, and participate in the processions with great enthusiasm. The festival is also an opportunity for women to showcase their creativity and artistic skills through the creation of colorful decorations and traditional attire.

The Food of Gangaur

The Gangaur festival is incomplete without the delicious food that is prepared and shared during this time. Ghevar, a traditional Rajasthani sweet, is a must-have during the festival. Other popular dishes include kheer, halwa, and various types of savories.

The Spirit of Gangaur

The spirit of Gangaur is one of joy, hope, and celebration. It is a time for people to come together, forget their differences, and celebrate the beauty of life.