Gangaur

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2026 Festival Date & Muhurta

Gangaur

Gangaur at a Glance

Gangaur is fixed by the lunar calendar to Chaitra Shukla Tritiya, the 3rd tithi of the waxing (Shukla) fortnight of Chaitra.

Tithi rule: Chaitra Shukla Tritiya (Purnimanta)Shukla Tritiya Chaitra month
Tithi swami and group: Gauri · Jaya Tithi

About Gangaur

Gangaur is one of the most vibrant festivals of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Haryana. Celebrated mainly by women during the Chaitra month, it begins the day after Holi and culminates on Chaitra Shukla Tritiya, lasting about sixteen to eighteen days. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati) and Her divine consort Lord Shiva, known here as Isar.

Unmarried women observe Gangaur to pray for a worthy husband, while married women fast and perform rituals for the long life, health, and prosperity of their spouses. The festival reflects the deep cultural values of marital devotion and feminine solidarity.

Clay idols of Isar and Gauri are made by women, beautifully decorated, and worshipped daily. The celebration includes folk songs, traditional dances, the wearing of bright red and green attire, mehndi, and the ceremonial procession of the idols for immersion in a river or tank on the final day.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

Gangaur is observed by fasting, daily worship of Gauri and Isar idols, and concluding with a farewell procession and immersion.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Make or acquire clay idols of Gauri and Isar and place them on a decorated altar in the home.
Wake before sunrise, bathe, and offer fresh flowers, turmeric, kumkum, and sweets to the idols every morning and evening.
Observe a partial or complete fast during the day, breaking it only after the evening puja with satvik food.
Sing traditional Gangaur songs, apply mehndi, and gather with other women for collective prayers and cultural programs.
On the final day, carry the idols in a decorated procession to a river or tank and immerse them with rituals and prayers.
Distribute prasad and gifts among relatives and neighbours to mark the conclusion of the festival.

Vrat Katha: Gauri's Return to Her Parents

Goddess Parvati, in her gentle form as Gauri, visited her parents' home after Her marriage to Lord Shiva. Her mother and the women of the household received Her with great affection.

During Her stay, Gauri blessed the women with happy and prosperous married lives. When the time came for Her to return to Mount Kailasha, the women sang farewell songs and prayed for Her swift return.

Moved by their love, Gauri promised to return every year. Gangaur commemorates this annual reunion and the blessings that Gauri bestows upon married women.

The immersion of the Gauri idol represents Her journey back to Kailasha, and devotees pray that She will come again the following year.