An important festival for the women of Rajasthan, Gangaur begins on the day following Holi and continues for 18 days. Women dress up in their finest to honour goddess Gauri, a manifestation of Parvati (Lord Shiva’s wife). While married women worship Gauri, the embodiment of perfection and conjugal love, for the success of their married life, unmarried women worship the Goddess for being blessed with a good husband.
When: Begins March 20
Where: Rajasthan
What’s Special: The festival is celebrated in different ways across the state. In Udaipur, there’s a boat procession on Lake Pichola; women walk around the banks with brass pitchers balanced on their heads; and the spectacle ends with fireworks.