Married women celebrate Gangaur Festival in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Mar.26 (ANI): Married women in Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, celebrated the Gangaur Festival with great fervour and devotion over the weekend.

During the festival, they worship the Hindu Goddess Gauri and pray for the long life of their husbands.

A colourful procession of bejeweled images of the goddess Gauri was taken out across the city, accompanied by local bands.

"We worship Gangaur (Hindu goddess Gauri) for the long life of our husbands. This festival goes on for 16 days and the festival commences the day after Holi. We wear different colourful saris and stoles," said Savita Aggarwal, a local resident.

Women balanced brass pitchers on their heads during the procession.

Elephants, old palanquins, chariots, bullock carts, and folk performances were also a part of the procession.

Foreign tourists were also seen enjoying the colourful procession.

"It's very beautiful and its very colourful and many people in the streets and beautiful day and the festival. I am from Argentina and I love India, Rajasthan," said Banina, a tourist from Argentina.

As part of the festival, all married women fast for the whole 16 days. As per the tradition, the festival is also an auspicious time of year to choose a life partner. (ANI)