Gangaur

This spring festival is held in honour of Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva, the goddess of abundance. During the festival young girls dress up in their finest wardrobe and pray for grooms of their choice and the married women do the same for the well-being of their husbands. Though celebrated throughout Rajasthan, in Jaipur it has its own charm and attraction. Girls worship the goddess throughout the preceding fortnight. Colourful images of Gauri are taken out in procession with the town band.

Ishar and Gangaur are the divine male and female who embody marital love. Dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati), the festival commences on Holi. Young girls pray for grooms of their choice while married women seek a long life for their husbands. Primarily a festival for women, the celebrations include flower gathering and drawing water from selected wells. The women do these while chanting hymns to the Goddess. Festivities continue for 18 days culminating with the arrival of Lord Shiva to escort his bride home. A grand procession, with the idol of Gauri in beautifully decorated gold and silver palanquin, caparisoned elephants, camels, horses, dancers, drummers and joyous children goes through the city street.