Know more about Gangaur: A Rajasthani festival of fasting, feasting and folklore

I was four years old when the first episode of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai dropped, and that’s how I got my first glimpse of Rajasthani culture, the lehengas, the jewellery, and, of course, the festivals. For me, it was my Disney movie, and as a four-year-old, I never understood yeh rishta kya kehlata hai (I still don’t get it) 

By the time I was six, a sweet Marwari family moved in next door. Already obsessed with the show and being the youngest child on the floor, I was spoiled with undivided love and attention from everyone around me. Aunty would pull me into the kitchen, letting me roll out uneven rotis, while dadisa told me stories of Rajasthan’s traditions.

The view at Pichola Lake

And then when I was 12 old enough to understand the tradition, and depth of the festival I saw Gangaur for the first time, I saw women in my own neighborhood dressed in bandhani poshaks, their hands adorned with deep red mehendi, singing songs that sounded older than time itself.

Seeing my obsession, Dadisa teased— "Kyu baisaa, aap badi hoke chokhe pati khatar Gangaur ri pooja kari?" I frowned at the thought of fasting for men, but before I could protest, she pulled me close, tracing the mehendi on my tiny hands."Sun bai, Gangaur ek kahani hai, ek vachan, ek amar prem ki misaal..."

And just like that, I was lost in a tale older than time.

Women of Rajasthan celebrating Gangaur 

The legend of Gangaur: When love defied the heavens

Gangaur, derived from ‘Gana’ (Shiva) and ‘Gaur’ (Parvati), symbolizes the divine union of strength and devotion, a celebration of love and marital harmony. Long ago, Parvati, the daughter of the mighty Himalayas, fell in love with the great ascetic—Lord Shiva. But Shiva, lost in his yogic trance, paid no heed. But did Parvati give up? Na re baba! She left her royal comforts and wandered into the deep forests. She meditated, fasted, and stood barefoot in the scorching sun, proving her devotion to the Gods.

Her faith was so strong, so unshakable, that even Shiva had to bow to her love. He appeared before her and accepted her as his wife. "Parvati, your devotion has won even me. You shall be my queen, my Shakti."

And so, their celestial love story became the foundation of Gangaur—a festival where women, just like Parvati, pray for a husband as loving as Shiva and for a marriage as unbreakable as theirs.

Idols of Shiv & Parvati knowns as Gavar - Ishar

The folk tale: When Gauri came home

But the legend of Gangaur is not just about Gods. It is also about a daughter returning home.

It is said that after marrying Shiva, Gauri (Parvati) visited her maayka and as soon as the news spread, the women of the village rushed out with dhol, diyas, and sweets, eager to welcome her. They sang folk songs, applied mehendi, and offered her the finest sweets—because when a daughter comes home, the house must smell of love. "Aavli Gauri aangan mhare, Suhagan ra ashirwad de ja!"

Gauri, moved by their devotion, blessed them with marital happiness and prosperity. Before returning to Kailash, she instructed them— "Every year, fast for me, sing for me, celebrate me—and I will protect your homes, your hearts, your husbands."And so began Gangaur, a festival where women don’t just worship Gauri—they bring her home as their own daughter, their own sister.

Gauri's idol all adorned for her wedding

When is Gangaur celebrated?

Gangaur starts the very next day after Holi—because ek festival khatam ho toh doosra shuru hone mein zyada der kyun lage? It stretches across 16 days, where women pray, fast, and celebrate. But the real magic happens on Chaitra Shukla Tritiya, the third day of the waxing moon. Depending on the Hindu calendar, this usually falls somewhere in March or April (so hanji, har saal Google karna padega). The festival ends with a 3-day grand procession, where Gauri gets married to Shiva and is bid farewell with all the dhol-dhamaka, love, and colors Rajasthan is known for.

Enjoy the creative exhibit of Rajasthani art

Gangaur across Rajasthan: How each city celebrates

Though the soul of Gangaur remains the same, each region celebrates it with its own traditions, its own flair—just like every home has its own recipe for dal baati churma.

Jaipur: The grandest procession

In Jaipur, Gangaur is no less than a royal event. The City Palace comes alive for 3 days with a grand procession of Shivji and Gauri’s idols, led by camels, elephants, folk dancers, and musicians. The streets hum with the rhythm of dhol, and women in bright bandhani sarees balance earthen pots (matkas) with lit lamps on their heads and sing"Gauri ghat ghoomar ghoome, Chunari laal odhe padharo Gauri."

Where: City Palace to Talkatora (through Tripolia Bazaar and Chhoti Chaupar)
When: Late afternoon (usually 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM) on the last day of Gangaur
Drive time from The Hosteller Jaipur, MI Road: 10 mins (3.2 km)

Udaipur: A festival on the lake

In Udaipur, Gangaur’s beauty is unmatched. The procession moves towards Lake Pichola, where the idols are placed on beautifully decorated boats. The lake glows with floating diyas, as women whisper their prayers to the water, hoping the wind carries them to Gauri herself.

Where: City Palace to Gangaur Ghat on Lake Pichola
When: Procession starts in the evening (around 4:00 PM) on the final day
Drive time from The Hosteller Udaipur: 3 mins (1.1 km)

Celebrate Ganagur at Gangaur Ghat

Jodhpur & Bikaner: A feast for the community

In Jodhpur and Bikaner, Gangaur isn’t just about prayers—it’s also about food and togetherness. Families gather for a grand community meal, sharing plates of malpua, ghewar, and badam ka halwa. Elders bless the younger generation, while folk songs fill the air. "Padharo mhari Gauri, dheeraj dharo,shubh suhagan raho, sukh sagar bharo."

Where: Meherangarh Fort to Gulab Sagar Lake
When: Procession starts in the evening (around 4:00 PM) on the final day
Drive time from The Hosteller Jodhpur: 9 mins (3.3 km)

Events at Gulab Sagar Lake

Mewar: The special Ghewar offering

In Mewar, Gangaur comes with a sweet twist—ghewar! But this isn’t just any ghewar. It is made only once a year, and the first bite is always offered to Gauri before it is shared with the family. "Jo khaye Gangaur ka ghewar,Uska jeevan ho sundar aur pyaar"

Where: Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara
When: Celebrations continue from early morning until late evening

Rajasthan aake ghewar nahi khaye toh kya khaye

Conclusion

I am 19 today as I write this from The Hosteller Udaipur’s dorm room. I’ve moved out, lost touch with my old neighbours, and I’m not even a Rajasthani by birth. But the story of Gangaur, and memory of Dadisa, are enough to make me one. So every year, the day after Holi, I catch myself humming the same song she used to sing to me as a child—
"Khelan do Gangaur bhanwar, mhane pujan do din chaar, Oh ji mahri saheliya jove baat, bhanwar mahne khelan dyo Gangaur."

Jyada cheesy hogaya na ? abh 4 saal ki bacchi Indian tv serial dekhegi toh yahi hoga

This year I found myself celebrating Gangaur and wandering through Udaipur’s streets like it was my home, like I belonged here, like it was the connection from the past & And if after reading this, I’ve enticed you enough to visit Rajasthan then

Padharo Mhare Desh – Beause this isn’t just Gangaur. This is Rajasthan. This is home.