Venue: The festival is
celebrated throughout the state, but Jaipur is the main venue for it.
Time: March - April
Duration: 18 days
About Gangaur Festival
Gangaur Festival is a special festival for the Rajasthanis. It is
celebrated in honour of Gauri or Parvati, the goddess of abundance. This
festival is celebrated by young girls dressed in their best clothes praying
for a spouse of their choice. The married ladies pray for the well being of
their husbands. 'Ghewar' sweet is specially prepared for this festival with
a purpose of offering it to the Gods. This festival is celebrated in spring
season with great feeling and zeal all over Rajasthan. The celebrations at
Bikaner, Jodhpur, Nathdwara and Jaisalmer are full of pomp and are a
must-see.
This festival is celebrated a fortnight after Holi. It is perhaps the only
festival in Rajasthan that is celebrated for 18 days. Gangaur festival is
celebrated across Rajasthan, but it is more enjoyable at Jaipur and Udaipur.
Colorful processions of images of Gauri, the other name of Goddess Paravati
and Shiva called Gan, are taken out during the festival.
Another special feature about this festival is that on this occasion,
tribal men and women have an opportunity to meet and interact freely and
during this time, they select partners and marry by eloping.
Udaipur is the perfect place to visit during Gangaur festival as the Lake
City presents a wonderful view on the occasion of the festival. The
procession to Pichola Lake is the highlight of the Gangaur festival in
Udaipur. The ceremony pulls 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 pulls a number of tourists during Teej festival. The city is
beautifully decorated and attains a festive look. The procession carrying
the images of Shiva and Parvati passes through the streets of Jaipur and
people come out of their homes to watch the enticing procession. Jaipur
becomes an attractive destination presenting a wonderful look during the
festive season.
Major Tourist Attractions
Events
The procession is taken to a garden, tank or a well with the images of Isar
and Gauri, placed on the heads of married women at an auspicious hour in the
afternoon. Songs are sung about the leaving of Gauri to her husband's house.
The procession comes back after offering water to the image of Gauri, which
faces backwards on the first two days. On the final day, she faces in the
same direction as Isar and the procession ends with the delivery of all the
images in the waters of a tank or a well. The women bid farewell to Gauri
and turn their steps towards home with tears in their eyes and the Festival
comes to an end.
Getting There
Air : Indian airlines, Jet airways and Sahara airlines have regular
service to Jaipur. All the major cities are connected to Jaipur.
Rail : Shatabdhi and Intercity connects Jaipur to Delhi. Shatabdhi
is fully air conditioned train from Delhi to Jaipur, you can also try the
Intercity express which starts from Delhi and reaches Jaipur. There are
other trains also to Jaipur from other metro cities.
Road : Rajasthan roadways have regular bus services from New Delhi,
running deluxe and air conditioned coaches from Bikaner house, Delhi. Jaipur
is also well connected with the other cities of Rajasthan. One can also hire
private taxis.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not a problem in Jaipur and its neighboring areas. All
sorts of hotels and resorts can be located easily.
