The Festival of Gangaur

The festival of Gangaur is celebrated in the month of Chaitra in the honour of goddess Parvati or Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva. This festival is celebrated basically by women praying goddess Gauri for the protection of their families and crops. The worship of the image of Gauri is continued for 15 days and then taken out to be immersed in the rivers. During these days Kamadeva – the love god is also worshipped as he was considered responsible for Shiva falling in love with Parvati.

This painting exhibits the Gangaur festival which is celebrated all over Rajasthan with great devotion and grandeur. A group of ladies is coming out of the palace holding the image of goddess Gauri to be immersed in waters. Ladies are fully covered in thick veils and bright costumes. Radha and Krishna is shown watching the procession from a balcony, an added feature to this fine painting of Kotah style. A group of male and female musician are also playing on various instruments and trumpets accompanied by the traditional folk songs in praise of goddess Gauri.