This grand festival is celebrated all over Rajasthan but is especially celebrated in colorful Jaipur, Udaipur and Mandawa. The idols of Ssar and Gandaur the manifestations of Lord Shiva and Parvathy are worshipped by women particularly by unmarried women who pray for husband of their choice. This festival is celebrated in honor of Goddess Gauri who is considered as the symbol of virtue, fertility, devotion and perfect married women. The festival starts with the subsequent day of Holi and persists for 2 long weeks.
The festival begins with the custom of gathering the ashes from Holi fire and burying the seeds of barley in it. The seeds are watered everyday waiting for their germination. The women apply henna on their hands and on the seventh evening after Holi, unmarried girls assemble and take the procession with Ghudlia on their heads. On the last day the idols of Gauri are taken out in the procession and songs are sung about the departure of Goddess to her husbands home .The procession ends with the breaking of pots and throwing the trash into the pond. The girls are gifted with sweets, ghee and cash by the elders on this auspicious day.
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