Gangaur Vratगणगौर व्रत
Devoted to Gauri (Parvati) + Ganesh + Shiva · Annual (Chaitra Shukla Tritiya, March-April)
Significance
16-day Rajasthani + Gujarati women vrata for husband long-life + marital harmony. Particularly observed in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra. Celebrates Parvati union with Shiva. Unmarried women observe for ideal husband.
Who Observes
Married Rajasthani + Gujarati + Maharashtrian women; unmarried women per Parvati tradition; NRI Marwari/Gujarati diaspora
Fasting Rules (Upvas Niyam)
- •Phalahari from sunrise to sunset for 16 consecutive days
- •No grains, salt, sour foods
- •Strict celibacy
- •Saree + sindoor + traditional jewellery mandatory daily
- •Continuous Gauri-Shiva chanting
Rituals (Puja Vidhi)
- Pre-dawn snan + traditional clothes daily
- Clay murti of Gauri + Shiva worshipped daily
- 16-day continuous puja + bhog offering
- Last day: water-procession w/ Gauri murti
- Gangaur fair (Rajasthan) + community celebrations
Prasad
Sweet kheer + fruits + halwa broken at sunset
Benefits (Phal)
Per Skanda Purana — Gangaur vrata grants husband long life + marital harmony + family prosperity. Unmarried observers receive ideal husband matching personal devotional ideals. Particularly potent in Rajasthani folk tradition.
Primary Mantra
Vrat Katha (Story Origin)
Per Skanda Purana, Goddess Parvati performed 16-year penance to win Shiva as husband. After this period, Shiva accepted her — establishing the 16-day Gangaur tradition. The Rajasthani folk celebration commemorates this divine wedding annually w/ unique songs + dances + community-wide observance.
Book a pandit for Gangaur Vrat udyapan or katha
Concluding ceremony, havan, or full katha recitation at your home or remotely with video proof.