Gangaur 2025: Date, Time, Puja Rituals and Significance

Gangaur is dedicated to Goddess Gauri, who is considered the symbol of fertility, love, and marital devotion. She is also seen as an embodiment of Goddess Parvati, the beloved wife of Lord Shiva. Parvati is revered for her purity, strength, and commitment to her husband, and these qualities are central to the worship of Gauri during the festival. Through prayers and rituals, women seek the goddess’s blessings for a happy marriage, the well-being of their husbands, and the strength to sustain marital harmony. Unmarried women also partake in the celebrations, praying to Gauri for a good and loving husband. It is believed that by observing the rituals and fasting during Gangaur, unmarried women can receive divine blessings to help them find a suitable partner.

In 2025, Gangaur is being celebrated on Monday, March 31. The festival will fall on the third day of Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. The date of Gangaur changes every year, as it is based on the Hindu lunar calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar used worldwide. Gangaur is also a spring festival, symbolizing the arrival of the season of new life. Spring marks the rejuvenation of nature, with blooming flowers and the harvest of crops. As such, Gangaur celebrates fertility and the growth of life, both in nature and in personal relationships. It is a time to honor the cycles of life, renewal, and growth, which are vital to the continuation of both family and community traditions.
Gangaur 2025 : Celebrations and Rituals
Gangaur begins the day after Holi, one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, and lasts for 16 days. In some regions, particularly for newly married women, the festival may extend to 18 days. This long duration allows devotees ample time to engage in the rituals and prayers associated with Goddess Gauri. Gangaur is celebrated with devotion and participation in various rituals. One of the central elements is the worship of clay idols of Goddess Gauri. These idols are beautifully decorated with clothes, jewelry, and flowers, creating a divine and colorful representation of the goddess. In some homes, women keep these idols in their prayer spaces and offer prayers and flowers every day during the festival.

Young girls, particularly those who are unmarried, participate in the tradition of carrying Ghudlias small earthen pots filled with oil lamps or small candles. These are carefully balanced on their heads while singing traditional Gangaur songs. The sight of these lamps glowing in the dark symbolizes the spreading of light and blessings across the community, and it signifies the purity and energy of the festival.

Regional Significance and Variations
While Gangaur is primarily celebrated in Rajasthan, its influence extends to various parts of northern India, including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. In Rajasthan, the festival is deeply rooted in the local culture and traditions, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm in cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur.

The festival’s essence remains the same across regions honoring Goddess Gauri and seeking blessings for marital happiness and prosperity. However, the way it is celebrated may vary slightly, with unique regional customs and rituals adding their own flavor to the celebrations. For example, in Jaipur, large-scale processions with ornate idols and traditional music attract thousands of spectators, while in rural areas, women may perform more intimate rituals within their homes.