Colourful Traditions - Gangaour Fair - Jaipur - Rajasthan

Travel to Rajasthan and discover a whole new way to celebrate life as you take part in the proceedings of the Gangaur festival that is accompanied by a grand Gangaur Fair that is the focal point of all celebrations. The Gangaur festival is dedicated to goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva and is observed all throughout Rajasthan

During this festival, young girls dress up in all their finery and observe rituals for a husband of their choice while the married women pray for the well being of their husbands. The people take out a colorful procession in honor of Parvati, complete with horses, elephants, camels, palanquin bearers and musicians. Dancing and singing becomes the order of the day and the festivities carry on late into the evening. In fact the beautifully dressed women and their varied rituals infuse such a lively spirit and warmth into the Gangaur Fair that every single visitor is left enthralled.

Another interesting aspect of the Gangaur Festival is that the tribal men and women take it as a good opportunity to interact with each other and marry by eloping. If you want to be a part of this colorful event next year, make sure that you are in Jaipur between 21st and 23rd of March (2007). Rest assured, it is going to be one of the best experiences of your life.