Immerse In the Jollification of Gangaur

Gangaur the word is derived from Gan which denotes Isarji (Lord Shiva) and Gauri (Godess Parvati) who symbolizes Saubhagya that is marital bliss. Gangaur is celebrated all over Rajasthan and is state’s one of the most important festivals, predominantly celebrated by women of all ages.  The married women of the house pray for their husbands’ long life and the unmarried young girls look up to getting a good handsome husband like Lord Shiva.

Though the actual celebrations begin from the very next day after Holi and goes on for 18 days. The eve of Gangaur is celebrated as Sinjara.  So, if you are in Rajasthan, here are a few places where you can visit and be a part of the carousal.

1. Jaipur

The magnificence of the procession starts from the Zanani Deodi in the City Palace, which passes through Tripolia Bazaar, Choti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, Chaugan Stadium, finally closing at Talkatora. The procession consists of bejeweled idols of Lord Shiva and Parvati, decorated elephants, camels, palanquins, chariots, and folk performances. It becomes a sight to behold.

2. Shahpura Haveli

The grand Gangaur procession starts from Shahpura Haveli passing through the streets of Shahpura village with royal pomp and pageantry. The procession includes horses, brass band, lancers along with the deities. Witness the charm of various activities and ceremonies of the festival and celebrate with the royal family of Shahpura. If you are interested in the event, go to the link .

3. Udaipur

The Gangaur celebration in Udaipur coincides with the Mewar Festival (20-22^nd March 2018), which is celebrated to welcome spring. The whole of Udaipur gets soaked in the colors of these festivities. Women carry along with them their Isar- Gangaur in the procession. The procession reaches the Gangaur Ghat and the idols are taken into the royal decorated boats and further immersed in the waters of Pichola Lake.

Image via Google

4. Alsisar Mahal, Jhunjhunu

Alsisar witnesses the pomp of Gangaur celebration at an extravagant scale. The whole village comes down to Alsisar Mahal to worship the communion of Shiva and Parvati (Gauri) and enjoy every moment. The procession is followed by folk music and dance which simply multiplies the joy of the festival.

This year Gangaur is being celebrated on 20^th of March 2018. So if you are pinning up options for globetrotting then this is the festival that should not be missed!

Mewar Festival of Rajasthan

Pic: via Google

One after another, the festivals in Rajasthan is an ongoing affair. The Mewar Festival, yet another important festival of Mewar region of Rajasthan is celebrated to give a warm welcome to the advent of spring. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur and has a unique charm about it. It is a time for women of Rajasthan to dress up in their best clothes and participate in the festival.

Pic: via Google

A number of pleasurable activities take place in the festival of Mewar. The devotees dress the idols and images of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ceremonial procession through different parts of the city. The procession winds its way to the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola. Here, the images are transferred to special boats amidst much singing and festivity. Once the religious part of the festival is over, it is time for cultural events where Rajasthani culture is portrayed through songs, dances and other programmes. The festival culminates with an impressive fireworks display. Like other fairs and festivals celebrated throughout the state, there is a lot of activity, which keeps the participants in a joyful frame of mind, eager to enjoy every moment.

The cultural programs, crowd of colorful people, wonderful music, and sanctified atmosphere are some of the highlights of the festival which keep the devotees indulged fully in the occasion. One can catch the sight of the festival by visiting Udaipur.

Udaipur is keeping the tradition alive of celebrating “Vikram Samvat”

Festive vibes truly swathes the city with colors and auspicious chimes. Vikram Samvat is welcomed & celebrated grandly across the whole Udaipur city including each crossings and lanes. Passerbies are embraced with “Roli-Kumkum Tilak” which signifies respect to them & are given the solemn offerings of “Black Pepper, Misri (sugar) & Meetha neem”.

 

Fatehsagar gets decked up with city crowed and bright decorative stuff, all set for evening processions.

Udaipur Municipal Corporation along with Alok  association organizes 4 day mass celebration which is studded with huge fete & fireworks. Various competitions like Turban tying & Kite flying enhances the vibrancy of the fete.

Pic-courtesy- Udaipurtimes

Colorful and sparking firework presentations at “Fatehsagar ki paal” usually blow off the showers of auspiciousness in the city.  Traditional dance and folks festival is conducted at the shore of “Pichhola Lake” to mark farewell to the past year.

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A large rally is preceded from Nathdwara to Pichhola Lake, and it becomes a colossal affair when a mass from adjacent villages & localities adjoins it. Grand “Kalash-yatras” enroute, makes the “Upcoming Year” most special.

Also the consecrating soil is brought from “Haldighati” to worship the valor of “Maharana Pratap”.

The tradition of Surya Puja in the morning and beckons of reverence by small kids soaks everybody in the occasion.

Amid of loud festive aura, city folks welcomes the new year with all heart and hale with action packed evening at Lok Kala Mandal too.

The celebration of “Vikram Samvat” culminates with a great religious fervor.

Picture Courtesy: Manmohan Bhatnagar

Mewar Festival- A welcoming Festive Fervour!

Rajasthan- ‘Dharti Dhoran Ri’ – The Land of Warriors!!

At the same time a place of Royals, embracing its multifarious cultural and ethnic traditions finely knitted with all modesty and mehmaan-nawazi..!!.It yet again takes up the festive mood to another level where in one would simply get awestruck with the sand-breezy fragrance and the welcoming festive fervor.

As known, fairs and fests have been an indispensable part for people of Rajasthan. Mewar Fest is one amongst these fairs. The Mewar Festival is celebrated as it welcomes the spring.

For the year 2013, The Mewar Festival of Udaipur is set to be celebrated for three days: from 13^th April to 15^th April. To keep people entertained, the organizers encourage local artists and artisans to come and display their talents. Many cultural programs and plays are organized for the amusement of people of Rajasthan. The whole city of Udaipur is decorated beautifully in colorful streamers and the feel of a grand celebration enwraps the locals as well as the visitors and guests because celebrations are just round the corner!!

The fair is held in two parts where the first part holds the religious importance and after this comes the joy of celebration which includes various performances on Rajasthani folk-songs, dances like Kalbelia, Gavri dance etc. and other art forms like snake-charming, chari-dance, etc.

The most scintillating feature of this festival is the grand procession that takes place on ‘Gangaur Ghat’ in Udaipur as the auspicious water from this ghat is used in filling up the pots, to be carried by the women participants for the religious ceremony. Thereafter, the procession flocks towards the Jagdish Chowk which gets eventful and active, which lies near Jagdish Mandir at the crossing of City Palace of Udaipur.

The three-day Mewar festival of Rajasthan comes to an end when the idols of Isar and Gangaur are taken to Lake Pichola of Udaipur. Then the idols are transferred on a specially decorated boat with much ardor and solemnity!! This is then followed by the Royal Treat as the Royals of Udaipur, participates in the rituals, of carrying ‘Gangaur Ki Sawari’ in 5ft long boat. This boat is decorated and ducked up with colorful stuffs for the royal carriage of Gangaur only!

Mewar Festival of Rajasthan offers a brilliant opportunity worth grabbing, to the interested wayfarer who wants to be regaled by the tales, legends and sights of medieval and vintage traditional vistas.