Gaṅgaur 1942: Calgary, Alberta

Gangaur is the great festival of Gauri (Goddess Parvati) and Isar (Lord Shiva), celebrated on the Tritiya of the bright fortnight of Chaitra. Its name joins Gan, a name of Shiva, with Gaur, Gauri.

The worship begins the day after Holi and continues for about eighteen days. Women shape images of Gauri and Isar from clay, offer fresh grass, flowers and water each morning, and sing the songs of Gangaur. Married women pray for the long life of their husbands and a happy home; unmarried girls pray for a husband as devoted as Shiva. Tradition recalls Parvati's own long penance to win Shiva, and her return to her parents' home, from which she is sent back to Kailasa with love on this day.

On Gangaur the images are adorned and carried in procession to a lake or well, where they are bid farewell. The processions of Jaipur and Udaipur are famous, and homes prepare ghevar and other sweets.