Gangaur Festival of Rajasthan
Beginning- Gangaur is a 18 day festival starting right from the next day of Holi with worship and prayers to Gauri- the most benign aspect of Durga, the consort of Shiva. Wheat seeds are sown and waters every day in the ashes collected from Holi which sprout in the form of “Jawara” in the next few days.
Both married and unmarried girls worship the goddess every day during the festival with durva grass, flowers, fruits and bright brass pots filled with fresh water.
7th day- On the 7th day after Holi, unmarried girls with ghudlias (earthen pots with holes) on their head with a burning lamp inside go around the city singing songs and collecting small presents of cash, sweets, etc. This continues for 10 days till the final day of Gangaur when the girls break the pot and throw the debris into a well or a tank nearby.
17th day- The customary gift hamper of Sinjara is sent by to married woman from their houses on the second last day of the festival consisting of clothes, money, sweets and jewellery.
Final day- On the final day of Gangaur festival, many ladies keep strict fast, worship goddess Parvati, wear colourful garments and ornaments, and the wooden or earthen images of Gangaur (Shiva- Parvati) are dressed and taken out in procession singing songs through the main bazaars and streets for the immersion in a nearby lake or water body signifying the “Gaur” who has come to a parents house being sent back to her husband’s place and also invoking the diving couple to bless them next year.