The Gangaur festival of Rajasthan, which is devoted to Goddess Parvati, lasts for _____ days.

The correct answer is 18 days.

Key Points

• The Gangaur festival is a major celebration in Rajasthan dedicated to Goddess Parvati.
• This festival is particularly significant for women, who pray for marital bliss and the well-being of their husbands.
• It is an 18-day long festival that begins the day after Holi and continues until the third day of the Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month.
• During the festival, women decorate their hands and feet with intricate Mehndi designs and adorn themselves in traditional attire.
• Gangaur involves various rituals, including the making of clay idols of Shiva and Parvati, known as Isar and Gangaur.

Additional Information

• Significance of Gangaur
  • Gangaur is celebrated by both married and unmarried women, where married women pray for the well-being and long life of their husbands, and unmarried women seek good spouses.
  • The festival symbolizes the arrival of spring and harvest.
• Rituals and Traditions
  • Women observe fasts, sing traditional songs, and participate in processions carrying the idols of Isar and Gangaur.
  • On the final day, the idols are immersed in water bodies as a ritualistic farewell to the deities.
• Mehndi and Attire
  • Application of Mehndi is a crucial part of the festival, symbolizing the marital status and love for their spouses.
  • Women wear vibrant, traditional outfits and jewelry specific to their regional customs.
• Regional Variations
  • While Gangaur is most prominent in Rajasthan, it is also celebrated with variations in states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
  • Each region has its own unique customs and practices associated with the festival.