Jodhpur, April 29 (ANI): Women disguised as Hindu gods thrashed men during the 'Dhinga Ganwar' festival in Jodhpur as there is a belief they will get married soon.
"I have heard that if we are beaten by sticks here, then the person gets married soon after. So, I have deliberately tried to get beaten as much as possible so that I get a nice girl and get married by next year," said Abhishek Kumar, a devotee.
The heritage of the festival comes from the mythical legend of "Gan" or Lord Shiva and "Gaur" or Gauri, his consort Goddess Parvati.
According to legend, after a widow's wish to worship Goddess Gangaur was turned down, Lord Shiva appeared in her dreams asking her to pray to Goddess Ganwar, his second wife, instead.
Women disguise themselves and roam on the streets freely, thrashing men and boys who cross the path.
The men sportingly take the thrashing as they have vested interest.
Most women carry decorated sticks.
The festival of 'Dhinga Ganwar' is for both married and unmarried women and is always celebrated after darkness.
Women dress up like Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna and Lord Hanuman. The reason for them dressing up as male gods is to send out a message of them being equal to men and to spread awareness about women empowerment.
"We are women for all 12 months but this day is our day and we can dress up as Hindu gods," said Kamini Singh, a devotee disguised as Lord Krishna.
During the festival, women apply mehendi (Henna) on their hands and feet. Unmarried girls spend the evening carrying earthen pots with a number of holes, on their heads, with a lamp burning inside. They also sing songs.
Roaming the streets, they collect small presents in the form of cash, sweets, jaggery and oil. (ANI)
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