Mysuru: All the ladies from Rajasthani community together performed Gangaur Puja at Mahadeshwara Temple in Janatha Nagar here recently.

Gangaur is one of the most popular, colourful and important festival for people of Rajasthan and it is observed throughout the State with great enthusiasm and devotion by womenfolk.

The festival is the celebration of monsoon, harvest and marital fidelity. Women worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva.

The word ‘Gangaur’ is literally made up of two words, ‘Gana’ and ‘Gaur’. ‘Gana’ is synonymous with Lord Shiva and ‘Gaur’ which stands for Gauri or Parvati symbolises Saubhagya (marital bliss). Gauri is the personification of excellence and marital love.

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped in this festival of Gangaur. This festival is specifically meant for   women folks.

The unmarried women worship Gauri for blessing them with good husband, while married women do so for the welfare, health and longevity of their husbands and cheerful married life.

— R. Narendar