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Festivals

Gangaur 2019: Feel the essence of Mewar

One of the most colourful festivals of Mewar is around the corner, Gangaur is a festival full of zeal and devotion for goddess Gauri. About 25 years back celebration of Gangaur was extended for three days by Rajasthan Tourism department and hence, Mewar festival came into the picture. This creative approach to the local festival gave a chance to tourists to know regional rituals closely. Generations after generation youngsters from the city core are taking the legacy forward. Each year footfall and engagement of tourists are increasing for the celebration in parts of Rajasthan. This scene is a treat for everyone who’s visiting the city during this time of year. Gangaur is a perfect example of a different world inside a city heart.

 

Know the history of Gangaur and relive it in Udaipur where it was created:

This festival has quirky charm in the capital of Mewar. Udaipur has the privilege of having a dedicated Ghat named after Gangaur. Gangaur Ghat is one of the prominent shore of Pichola Lake that connects populated part of the city to Lake Pichola. This ghat is a prime location for the celebration of multiple festivals, including Gangaur festival. Traditional processions of Gangaur starts from the City Palace which is commenced by a royal family, and several other places, covering almost every part of the city.

gangaur festival

As per tales of the respective elderly people of Udaipur, Gangaur was also the festival when communities were visited by their royal family. As per the description from one side royals used to come in a boat with their Gangaur idols and on another side of shore people used to wait to celebrate the festival with their ‘Anndaata’. The legacy is continued and even today people representing royal family come in a boat with the processions. Women dressing in their best attire with hand made idols march towards the ghat and submerge the idols as a climax.

gangaur festival in Udaipur

The story behind Gangaur to give you feels:

Once upon a time, Lord Shiva(Gan), Parvati (Gauri) along with Sage Narad came upon a village. The news escalated real quick like the fire in the forest, the local women started preparing a feast for the God guests. Women from the upper class served, first. As a symbol of blessing, they were showered by holy water by the goddess Gauri. But they ran out of holy water when the women of lower class arrived with their offerings. Thus, Goddess Parvati cut her finger to sprinkle blood as the holy water.

gangaur fest Udaipur

Basically, during this festival Lord Shiva (Gan) and his wife goddess Gauri (Gaur) is worshipped. On this occasion, married women keep fast for their beloved husbands and unmarried ones also join in. The festival commences on the first day of spring according to the Hindu calendar and continues for 16 days. For a newly-wedded girl, it is binding to observe the full course of 18 days of the festival that succeeds her marriage. Numerous folk tales are associated with Gangaur which makes this festival deeply rooted in the hearts of Rajasthan’s mass.

Gangaur festival 2019

The beliefs strengthen with each passing year, expecting the arrival of Gods next year hence every time it’s a happy ending. Rajasthan Tourism welcomes tourist population to join the festival, to witness the culture of Mewar more closely.

For breaking the ice a three day Mewar festival is organised with many creative events lined up. Best Rajasthani attire by a foreign couple is awarded free royal meals, plus to make things interesting different communities offer prizes to best Gangaur and Isar idols. Without Rajasthani folk music and dance, any festivals are incomplete, followed by art and cultural events.

So what are you waiting for? Add Gangaur to your checklist, put your dancing shoes on and be ready to get painted in the colour of Mewar.  Don’t forget to add Gangaur to your checklist if you are in the city from 8th to 10th of April 2019.

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Stealing in the daylight! Is Udaipur really safe?

Two days back, I just came out of my office and decided to go for clicking pictures in the old city. So, after spending an hour clicking, my friends and I thought of hanging out at Gangaur Ghat. And yeah why not, most of the cafés in the town are nearby Gangaur Ghat and it is picturesque too. A lot of tourists and local people can be seen at this location. Especially in the evenings, this place becomes the hub of the activity.

Just like any other day we parked our vehicles near the small temple which is near the ghat (there is a parking space in fact!). After half an hour only, we decided to move forward to our respective homes. It was 8:30 PM.

I rode back home and parked my vehicle inside the house. Just after a fraction of seconds, I realized that the lock of the storage trunk of my vehicle was broken and someone had stolen my DSLR camera which I kept inside. WHOA!!! SERIOUSLY!!!

Yes, this did happen and I was totally in shock.

This is a serious and real incident that I experienced. Somebody in the middle of a busy street broke open the trunk of my scooty and stole my belonging. I checked every possible CCTV camera in that area and asked people who were there. But no clue!

Not just that I lost a DSLR, I also lost faith in the fact that my belongings are safe in the city.

This is where I LOST my camera!!

The reason why I am sharing my experience:

Udaipur is flooded with tourists from all over the globe. People travel miles and fly overseas to reach this city. If such kind of theft can happen with a local person, that too in a busy street then let’s not even assume what can happen with a tourist at any odd timing.

I always felt proud and praised my city for being peaceful and away from the nasty activities until that day.

Hope people understand that stealing is a crime and if they get caught they might end up in jail too.

Sad, but I am bound to question- is Udaipur really safe!?!


STAY SAFE PEOPLE!

 

P.S.

It was a brown leather sling bag with a Nikon camera and a charger 🙁

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Places to Visit Udaipur Speaks

Two reflections of Gangaur Ghat : What do YOU think?


Gangaur Ghat

What is Gangaur Ghat?

Ghat (noun) a flight of steps leading down to a river or a lake.

A ghat is a place at the banks of a lake or a river which is generally used by the locals to bathe and wash their clothes. Ghats are also used by the locals for the celebration of the Hindu Festivals in India. Gangaur Ghat is definitely one of the most scenic and beautiful destinations in Udaipur. Its name was originally taken after the most popular local festival of Udaipur called ‘Gangaur’. Located in the heart of the city by the side of the Lake Pichola, it is just a few minutes drive from any part of the city. Although reaching the ghat can be difficult at times when you are in a four wheeler, the roads leading to the ghat are narrow and busy – try not to get stuck!

 

He says: (Angad, Udaipur)

Sitting by the lake on the Gangaur Ghat, Udaipur is beautiful. And once it becomes evening and the lights begin to shine, it’s the cherry on the cake. Spending a busy day in Udaipur working or learning or whatever you do, an evening at the Gangaur Ghat is something for which my words will always be short. Sitting and enjoying the calm breeze and listening to both upcoming musicians and traditional musicians playing folk music is the best way to relax. And if not, simply plug in your earphones and click some of the coolest pictures of Udaipur, because that’s what I do every day!

Gangaur Ghat

But we all know that every coin has two faces and that’s exactly the same case with the ghat too. There are aspects which need serious improvement; it is filled with stray animals, be it dogs, cows and even bulls. Having no other shelter these animals have made ghat their home. Additionally, the pollution which comes from locals bathing and washing is contaminating the water and leaving a nasty residue.

On a more positive note once again, discovering the inner you at the ghat is one of the nicest ways to enjoy it. Just being you, one can create some of the best stories for their life, which can be as old as the ghat is. And if someday you are not in the mood to create your own story you can be a part of someone else’s story. As a friend of mine told me, she loved becoming part of a Spanish couple’s story.

Being at the ghat allows you to open your mind to your thoughts and concerns that day, I know this through personal experience  – you can spend hours sitting at the ghat and you don’t want to get up and go home. It has given me some amazing experiences; I would just like to say I Love You #GangaurGhat.

 

She says: (Lucy, UK)

While throwing out words to describe Gangaur Ghat for this article, “calm” was not top of my list. Try “mayhem” or “circus” and we’re along the right lines. Sure, on a quiet day or early in the mornings, it’s easy to feel at peace admiring the tranquil waters or the echoes of detailed architecture. But on a busy day, arriving as a light-skinned tourist from the UK? Think again. The only echoes you’ll be hearing are a thousand enthusiastic voices asking “What country?” or “One photo?” A quick survey of my fellow backpacker’s opinions in our guesthouse affirms my thoughts, with one response from my Puerto Rican pal; “It’s a mad house!”

Gangaur Ghat

That’s not to say I don’t adore it – I do, I love the energy, the diversity, the absurd scenes that only India can pull off. I love watching the way the colours change throughout the day; I love the beautiful buildings and their shadows. I love watching the kids playing games, swimming in the water and stuffing bottles down their shorts to help them float.

Despite the litter and pollution, as a foreigner, the cows and skinny dogs munching on plastic add a charm that few countries could get away with. The positives and negatives of the ghat come together in a strange sort of harmony for me. In a totally different way, I too, love you! #GangaurGhat.

 

They both say:

However you feel, the one aspect we think everyone can agree on is the unbelievable creative platform that it provides. It’s hard not to feel inspired by the medley of music, artists and musicians; groups of youths clustered around guitars, melodic poojas, the nostalgic sounds of a sitar blending with bicycle bells and chattering voices making an incredibly unique soundtrack. Not to mention the perfect combination of the water’s reflection, captivating activity, beautiful buildings to motivate and channel anyone’s inner photographer. It’s a space to tell stories, be alone or come together, make friends and connect with others. As we sit writing this, we are inspired by the scene around us – perhaps our next collaboration project is here, hiding behind a lens or harmonica?

Gangaur Ghat

About the Authors:

Lucy Hemmings:

Half English, Half American, Lucy is the author of www.lucysmilesaway.com. She has spent the last six years travelling. She has spent a lot of time travelling in Asia (specifically India) and Europe, interspersed with trips back to the United States. You can catch her on: FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

Angad Soni:

Smart & Talented Student from Udaipur, about to pursue his MBA from Bangalore, You can catch him on Facebook

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Festivals Photos

[Pictures] Mewar Festival – a lively Celebration

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur

Colors of tradition spread out everywhere, Sparkling water of Pichola, Rajasthani women and girls elegantly dressed up, and beautifully decorated idols of Gangaur glittering in the beautiful light. Such was the charm of Mewar Festival at Gangaur Ghat. It felt as if everything around is tinted in rainbow – colorful and vibrant. As the folk tales say, these 16 days of Gangaur were the days when Parvati Ji stayed at her father’s home. These were the days of celebration, days to worship Gauri for a perfect husband and his well being. Today, Gauri Ji was given farewell amidst a big festival – the Mewar Festival.

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Look of Mewar

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The celebration started with a procession, in which women carried the idols of Isar and Gangaur all the way from Clock Tower to the Gangaur Ghat. Then the Royal boat of Palace was taken out from Bansi Ghat to Gangaur Ghat which was the centre of attraction of the evening. Colorful boat in the glowing water of Pichola was truly worth watching. Then the artists showed various shades of culture in the cultural programme that followed.The Show started by the performance of renowned Maand Singer of Udaipur – “Maangi bai”; Tune of ‘Padharo Mahare Desh’ filled the air and traditional dance forms like ‘Ghoomar’ and ‘Kalbeliya’ took hold of the breath. On the whole, the whole festival served as an eye candy with its striking colors and glorious culture.

 

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The best decorated award were won by the Rajmali Samaj who won the first prize and an amount of Rs. 11000. The second was the Kahar Bhoi Samaj while Maru Kumawat Samaj bagged the third spot.

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I was so untouched from one of the best festivals of Rajasthan and that too purely dedicated to womenfolk. For those who are still untouched with its allure, UdaipurBlog have the best of pictures of this celebration. And for those who captured the view in their eyes, these photos will recall those amazing moments.

Photos By Mujtaba Rg & Yash Sharma 

Categories
Festivals

Gangaur Festival 2011

Gangaur – A Festival dedicated to the marriage Lord Shiva(Gan) and Goddess Parvati(Gaur). Gangaur festival begins on the first day in Chaitra month continues till the fourth day in Shukla Paksha. It is an 18 day Celebration which starts from 21st March, The day after Holi. Gangaur 2011 is to be celebrated today on 6th April.

In Udaipur the devotees will carry the idols of the Goddess Gauri in a procession through different parts of the City uptil the Beautiful Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichola.

Ghangaur Festival , Mewar Festival Udaipur
Gangaur Festival in 2010. (Click to Enlarge)

Image Credits: Ygoy

Mewar Festival (6th-8th April 2011) coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur.

Today there will be a Gangaur procession from Clock Tower to Ghangaur Ghat Accompanied with the Royal Boat procession from Bansi Ghat to Ghangaur Ghat. It is a mesmerizing Event that everyone in Udaipur must Visit to see. On 7th April there will be Cultural Evening at The Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal.

Mewar Festival Udaipur