Gangaur 2023: Date, History, Significance, Story & more.

Gangaur Quick Facts

History of Gangaur

Gangaur is mainly celebrated in North Indian states especially Rajasthan and parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat. Gangaur festival is an 18 day festival which starts from the first day of Chaitra month. Gangaur Puja is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is a Hindu festival celebrating marital bliss.

The history of Gangaur is ancient and it has an important place in Indian cultural history. This festival has been celebrated since ancient times and its beginning is mentioned in mythology and Puranas. The important reference of Gangaur festival occurs in the Mahabharata period.

Story of Gangaur

Abhimanyu and Uttara:- The festival of Gangaur was started by Arjuna's son Abhimanyu and his wife Uttara to wish their father an adequate number of children. During this festival, all the women used to worship Goddess Ganga and Lord Shiva and give their best wishes.

Ganga and Shiva: This story is from the Mahabharata period, when Arjuna's son Abhimanyu and Uttara were about to get married. Uttara's father Maharaj Virat wanted his children, so he started worshiping Ganga and Shiva. He kept a fast of Gangaur and Lord Shiva accepted his prayer and gave Uttara many children. Due to this story, Gangaur started being celebrated in a festive way.

Rani Padmavati and Rawal Ratan Singh: This story is about Rani Padmavati of Chittorgarh and her husband Rawal Ratan Singh. Rani Padmavati observed Gangaur fast and celebrated this festival to wish for her husband's long life and prosperity. In this story, the festival of Gangaur is an important part of the culture and beliefs of Rajputana.

Significance of Gangaur

The significance of Gangaur is immense in Indian cultural and religious traditions. Celebrating this festival revives the old culture and traditions and indicates unity in the society, importance of family and gender equality. In Gangaur festival women worship Goddess Ganga and Lord Shiva and men respect their wives. Through this festival, the principles of gender equality are propagated and the importance of family is strongly shown. By observing Gangaur fast, it is believed that women wish for a long and happy life for their husbands. Apart from this, by adopting the Gangaur festival, the wishes of children and their safe birth are also prayed.

The festival of Gangaur begins on the Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of the month of Vaishakh, which is auspicious for agriculture and rain. It is considered a sign of the beginning of the season. By celebrating this festival in a festive manner, people wish for good weather and a good harvest throughout the year. In Gangaur festival, people gather and share happiness among themselves. Fairs, songs, dances and traditional games are organized, which maintain an atmosphere of social unity and harmony.

How to celebrate Gangaur

Gangaur may have slight variations in different states, but it is generally celebrated with the following customs:

During this festival, women dress up in beautiful clothes, adorn And married women observe Nirjala fast for fourteen days. During this fast they are not given food or water and they perform at the end of the fast. On the part of the men, in the Gangaur festival they give gifts to their wives and worship them. After the puja, women prepare special bhog (offerings) of Gangaur. This may include sweets, puris, halwa, dry fruits and vrat related food items. This bhog is offered to the Lord and then offered to women to eat. The festival of Gangaur is an occasion of happiness, where people come together to enjoy dance, songs and games. Here people wear colorful costumes, perform traditional dances and sing songs.

Tradition and customs of Gangaur

The festival of Gangaur has slightly different contours in different parts of India and people celebrate according to their local traditions and preferences. Women keep fast on the day of Gangaur and follow various rules since centuries. This may include consumption of particular types of food, pineapple, orange, betel nut, coconut etc. Images of Isar and Parvati are made from clay for the festival. In some Rajput families, the permanent wooden images are painted anew every year by eminent painters called Matherans on the eve of the festival. People celebrate the festival of Gangaur in the form of social functions. It may include traditional fairs, festivals, colorful performances, markets, dance and games, and games. People get together to enjoy song, dance and games.

More info about Gangaur

The festival of Gangaur is celebrated today in a few different ways than earlier:

Social Changes:In earlier times, the festival of Gangaur mainly focused on social traditions and husband-wife relationship. However, nowadays it is being changed towards making it a brooder celebration, in which women celebrate it as a currency of independence, social equality and self-reliance.

Praise of women power: Nowadays, the festival of Gangaur has become a platform for praise of women power and women empowerment. Through it, women reflect their social, economic and political status and visualize their progress and bright future.

Public fairs: At many places, public fairs are organized on the occasion of Gangaur. In these fairs, people enjoy Indian culture, food, clothing, handicrafts and entertainment.

List of major festivals: