FAIRS OF INDIA – GANGAUR FAIR
The Gangaur Mela or Festival is a colourful and most important local festival of Rajasthan state and is observed throughout the state with great fervour and devotion by womenfolk who worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva ji during July-August month. It is also the celebration of monsoon.
The famous Gangaur Mela commences on the first day of Chaitra maha, the day following Holi and continues for 18 days. For a new bride, it is binding to observe the full course of 18 days of the festival that succeeds her marriage. Even unmarried girls fast for the full period of 18 days and eat only one time a day. and pray to God for the wellbeing of their spouses and a happy married life.
Images of Lord Shiva and Parvati are made of clay for the festival. In some families, permanent wooden images are painted afresh every year, by reputed painters called matherans on the eve of the festival.