Gangaur Festival is one of the most celebrated festivals in Rajasthan, dedicated to Goddess Gauri, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The festival symbolizes marital happiness and devotion and is observed with great enthusiasm, especially by married and unmarried women. As we approach Gangaur 2025, let’s explore the step-by-step Gangaur Puja Vidhi to perform the rituals correctly and seek divine blessings.
Significance of Gangaur Festival 2025
Gangaur Festival is observed to honor Goddess Parvati, who is believed to bless women with a prosperous married life and bestow happiness upon their families. The festival is deeply rooted in Rajasthani culture and traditions and is celebrated with grand processions, folk dances, and vibrant rituals.
Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Gangaur Puja
1. Preparation for the Puja
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Start the Gangaur Festival 2025 celebrations by thoroughly cleaning the puja area.
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Arrange the idols of Shiva (Ishar) and Gauri (Parvati) made of clay or wood.
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Decorate the idols with vibrant attire, jewelry, and flowers.
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Married women observe a fast, while unmarried women pray for a suitable life partner.
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Collect essential puja items such as sacred thread, turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood paste, and incense sticks.
2. Kalash Sthapana (Setting Up the Sacred Pot)
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A clay pot (kalash) filled with water is placed in the puja area.
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Wheat and barley seeds are sown in an earthen pot as part of the ritual, symbolizing fertility and prosperity.
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The growth of these seedlings over the festival period is considered an auspicious sign.
3. Gangaur Puja Rituals
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Offer vermillion (sindoor), turmeric (haldi), kumkum, flowers, and fruits to the idols.
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Light a diya (oil lamp) and incense sticks while chanting Gangaur bhajans and traditional folk songs.
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Perform aarti and sprinkle holy water over the devotees.
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Married women apply mehendi (henna) and wear traditional Rajasthani attire like lehenga-choli.
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The puja is accompanied by devotional songs praising Goddess Gauri and Lord Shiva.
4. Fasting and Offerings
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Women observe a strict fast during the festival and break it only after performing the final puja.
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Sweets like ghewar, balushahi, and coconut ladoo are offered to the goddess and later distributed as prasad.
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Special traditional meals such as dal baati churma are prepared and shared with family members.
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Some communities also organize group feasts and cultural performances.
5. Gangaur Procession & Immersion Ceremony
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On the final day, the decorated idols of Gauri and Ishar are carried in a grand procession with music and dance.
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The festival concludes with the visarjan (immersion) of the idols in a nearby lake or river, symbolizing the return of Goddess Gauri to Mount Kailash.
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Women bid farewell to the goddess with heartfelt prayers for a blissful married life.
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The processions in cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur are major tourist attractions, drawing visitors from across the world.
Cultural Celebrations & Community Gatherings
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Folk performances such as Ghoomar and Kalbeliya dances add to the festive charm.
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Local fairs and markets offer a variety of Rajasthani handicrafts, jewelry, and traditional attire.
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Many families organize storytelling sessions where elders share the mythological significance of Gangaur with younger generations.
Conclusion
Gangaur Festival 2025 is a time of devotion, joy, and cultural vibrancy. By following this step-by-step Gangaur Puja Vidhi, devotees can perform the rituals with reverence and seek the blessings of Goddess Gauri for marital harmony and prosperity. The festival not only strengthens faith but also showcases the rich heritage of Rajasthan.