Bhopal: With the wish for unbroken marital bliss, married women celebrated Gangaur Puja on Tuesday, performing rituals at the Panchayat Mandir on Marwari Road.
Dressed in traditional attire and adorned with sixteen embellishments (shringar), the women collected green grass, flowers, and leaves from gardens before returning home with pots of fresh water balanced on their heads, singing songs dedicated to Gangaur Mata.
During the ceremony, they expressed their wishes for enduring marital happiness by singing “Gor Gor Gomti Isar Pooja Parvati” in front of the Isar-Gangaur idol within the temple. Young women also participated in the puja, hoping to attract good grooms.
Ritu Maheshwari from the Maheshwari Samaj explained that Gangaur Puja is observed for 16 days, starting from Dhulandi, the day after Holi, until Chaitra Shukla Tritiya. Women worship Isar-Gangaur, representing Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, praying for the long life of their husbands.
Offerings of suhaag items are made to Mata Gauri, and the worshippers sing traditional songs while sprinkling grass and water on the idol.
Unmarried girls also take part in the festivities, praying to Mata Gangaur for a good husband. Each day of the festival features unique clothing and adornments, contributing to the vibrant enthusiasm surrounding the occasion. In the evening a grand procession of Gangaur Mata, accompanied by elephants, horses, and camels, was taken out.
