Gauri Puja/ Gangaur

Gangaur or Gauri Puja is a significant festival of Hindus to worship Goddess Parvati. It is a colorful festival celebrated with great pomp and show all over the country and especially in the state of Rajasthan. Gangaur is a Hindi word that is formed by combining two words, ‘Gan’ meaning Lord Shiva and ‘Gaur’ is synonym for Goddess Parvati. Gangaur or Gauri Puja is celebrated mainly by married women for the long life and prosperity of their husbands.

Gangaur 2025 is on March 31 Monday

Goddess Parvati

When it is celebrated?

The festival of Gangaur falls in the Chaitra month that is also the first month as per the Hindu calendar. It starts with the first day of the month of Chaitra, that is, just after the festival of Holi and continues for 18 days. According to the Gregorian calendar, Gauri Puja falls between the month of March and April. Besides it also marks the end of chilling winter season and the start of spring season.

Significance of celebration

Gangaur or Gauri Puja is a primarily a festival to worship Goddess Parvati, who according to the Hindu mythology is regarded as the epitome of marital love, courage, excellence, power and strength. During this 18 day long festivities, married women pray to Goddess Parvati for longevity, wealth and well-being of their husbands. It is believed that girls who perform the Gangaur puja get desirable husbands.

It is believed that Goddess Parvati returned to her parent’s house during Gangaur to bestow the blessings of marital bliss to her friends. On the last day of celebration therefore, a grand farewell is given to Goddess Parvati along with Lord Shiva, who came to escort Her.

Where it is celebrated?

Gangaur or Gauri Puja is a festival celebrated with enthusiasm primarily in Northern India. In the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana the celebrations are done a larger scale and the festivities are on a full swing.

Who celebrates it?

Gangaur is a popular Hindu festival for both married women and girls. Married women in different parts of the country worship Goddess Parvati for the well-being of their husbands and families. Unmarried girls also worship Parvati with dedication to get husband of their choice.

Important Timings On Gangaur 2025

How it is celebrated?

During the 18-day long festival of Gangaur, women observe fast and eat just one meal every day. They wear bright red colored clothes and worship the idol of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati made from the clay. Women apply mehendi in their hands and dress up in new clothes and jewelry. During the last three days, the bejewelled idols of Parvati and Shiva are taken around the city in colorful processions. On the last day, the clay idols are immersed in the water and women pray to Goddess Parvati to come to their house every year.

Holiday

Gangaur is not declared as a Gazetted holiday in India. However especially in the state of Rajasthan the celebrations slow down the functioning of businesses.

Gangaur festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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