Gangaur Festival, an important local festival in
Rajasthan, begins on the first day of Chaitra, the day following
Holi, and lasts for eighteen days. It is the festival of girls and married women and is celebrated throughout Rajasthan. The festival is dedicated to Gauri - a manifestation of
Goddess Parvati, the goddess of marital bliss. Colorful images of Gauri are taken out in procession.
During these days, the unmarried girls keep fast and eat only one meal. They dress up in their best dress and pray for the grooms of their choice. The married women offer prayers for the well-being of their husbands. The women decorate their hands and feet with Mehendi or myrtle paste.
