 Distance Learning |
| |
 |
 |
| |
‘Gangaur’  is a compilation of two words, 'Gan'  which is another name for 'Lord Shiva' and ‘Gaur’ his spouse, 'Gauri'  or 'Parwati'  |
|
According to Hindu mythology, Gauri or Parwati had observed hard penance to please Shiva to get married to him. Shiva and Parwati are the symbols of ultimate bliss and marital happiness. |
| |
The celebration of Gangaur festival starts from the 1st day of Chaitra  month, the day following Holi and continues for 18 days. This year, the festival will commence on
March 20, 2011. |
| |
Unmarried girls pray to Shiva and Parwati to bless them with good husbands and give them a happy family life. The newly-wedded girl comes to her parents’ house in the 1st year of marriage to perform this puja, and on the final day, the son-in-law comes to take his bride home. Usually the last day is “Badi Gangaur”  which is worshipped by all married women and falls on April 6, 2011 this year. |
| |
 |
The ash from the Holi fire is collected and mixed with clay, to craft 16 small Pindiyas or elongated beans which are worshipped till the conclusion of the festival. In addition, 5 small idols are made out of clay, namely Isar (  Gan, Ishwar or Shiva), Gaur (Gauri  Parwati  ), Kaniram
(  Isar’s brother), Ronwa bai (  Isar’s sister), and Malan  female Gardener). These 5 idols are kept in a small cane basket and lovingly worshipped every morning. |
|
Seeds of wheat and barley are buried in soil, in a clay pot, and watered every day until germination takes place |
| |
Girls dress up and go in groups with their friends, to bring Durva grass (  ) and flowers. They address the idols as guests of the husband’s family, sing simple endearing songs for these guests, from waking them up to offering them water to drink and food to eat, and from praising Gaura bai’s beauty to making jovial fun of Isar, the son-in-law. |
| |
On the final day, all the 5 idols are immersed in water, denoting that Gaura Bai has gone back to her house along with the family. It ends with a prayer to them to come back next year with the same festivity. |
| |
By this simple puja of playing with dolls with friends, and through carefree games, the importance of family life and of worship is taught to young girls. |
| |
Gangaur festival is celebrated in a big way in Rajasthan and among the Marwaris. People from all over the world come to experience the grandeur and the festivity. A magnificent procession with trumpets, drums and beautifully adorned horses, camels, and elephants marks the festival. |
| |
 |
 |
Boat rides, chariots and palanquins add an extravagance to the procession where traditional songs are sung. Ghewar  a typical Rajasthani sweet, is distributed during the festival. |
|
| |
As the presiding deity of this festival is Parwati, we present Gaurii-wandanam, a very popular verse, invoking the Goddess ‘Gauri’ and describing her as the foremost among the deities. The verse is written in wiSama-writta  i.e. an odd meter. |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
Verse (In Sanskrit) |
 |
| |
Transliteration (In English) |
|
| |
|
| |
| (Easy break-up of words) |
|
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
 |
|
Translation |
Oh noble Gauri, the most auspicious of all the auspicious, the one who accomplishes all purposes, in whom one can take refuge, the three-eyed one, Naaraayani, salutation to You.
|
|
|
| |
| Credits |
 |
Song, Easy Reading, Recital and Pronunciation by
Maitreyee Roy Chowdhury
Essar (Essar Steel Limited) |
|
