Gangaur 2025 | Date, Time, Rituals, Significance, and Celebrations in London, UK

Gangaur in 2025 will be celebrated on Monday, March 31, with devotees in London, United Kingdom, observing this vibrant festival dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The Tritiya Tithi for Gangaur begins at 4:41 AM on March 31 and concludes at 1:12 AM on April 1. On this day, married women and unmarried girls across regions, especially in Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, perform rituals and prayers seeking marital bliss, long life, and prosperity for their spouses or desired partners. The festivities include creating clay idols of Gaura Mata, dressing up in traditional attire, and singing folk songs, symbolizing the devotion and cultural significance of this auspicious occasion.

Introduction

Gangaur is a vibrant Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva (Isar Ji) and Goddess Parvati (Gaura Mata). This festival is widely celebrated, especially by married and unmarried women, seeking blessings for marital happiness, longevity, and prosperity. In 2025, Gangaur falls on Monday, March 31 in London, United Kingdom, with Tritiya Tithi beginning at 4:41 AM on March 31 and ending at 1:12 AM on April 1. This article explores the traditions, significance, and rituals associated with Gangaur.

What is Gangaur?

Gangaur, also known as Gauri Tritiya, is celebrated on the third day of the Chaitra month’s Shukla Paksha in the Hindu calendar. In different regions of India, primarily in Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, women celebrate Gangaur with immense devotion. The term "Gangaur" is derived from "Gan" (a title for Lord Shiva) and "Gaur" (Goddess Parvati), symbolizing the union of Shiva and Parvati.

This day is particularly special for women. Married women pray for the long life and health of their husbands, while unmarried girls seek blessings to find an ideal life partner. Gangaur is also celebrated as Gauri Puja, marking Goddess Parvati’s role as the ideal wife and bringing prosperity to homes.

What is the Significance of Gangaur?

Gangaur symbolizes love, commitment, and devotion in marriage, representing the bond between Shiva and Parvati. The legend says that Goddess Parvati, after rigorous penance, gained Lord Shiva as her husband, making her the embodiment of marital devotion. Observing Gangaur is believed to bless women with marital happiness and a long, prosperous married life.

The festival also signifies the arrival of spring, symbolizing new beginnings, prosperity, and growth, making it a prominent event across communities that celebrate it.

Rituals of Gangaur Puja

• Creating Idols of Gaura Mata: Women create idols of Gaura Mata using clay or sand, which are decorated beautifully. This idol represents Goddess Parvati and is worshipped as part of the main ritual.
• Observing Fast: Women, both married and unmarried, observe a day-long fast on Gangaur. Some women consume only milk, while others follow a strict fast, breaking it only after the puja rituals. This fast is believed to bring happiness and fulfillment in their married lives.
• Traditional Adornments: On this day, women dress in traditional attire, adorning themselves with sixteen ornaments known as "Solah Shringar," which symbolize marital beauty. They perform the puja with these adornments, enhancing the ritual’s significance.
• Offering Gune: In Rajasthan, women make small jewelry pieces or ornaments out of flour and turmeric, called Gune, and offer them to Goddess Parvati. These items are later distributed among family members, symbolizing blessings of wealth and prosperity.
• Puja and Folk Songs: During the Gangaur puja, women sing traditional folk songs in praise of Gaura Mata and Isar Ji. The songs often depict the relationship between the goddess and her devotees, adding a vibrant cultural touch to the festival.
• Immersion of Idols: The Gangaur festival concludes with the immersion of Gaura Mata's idol in water. In Rajasthan, this immersion ritual is particularly grand, with processions and dances as women bid farewell to Gaura Mata, symbolizing her return to her husband, Lord Shiva.

How Gangaur is celebrated in London

In London, the Gangaur festival is celebrated with enthusiasm by the Indian and Rajasthani communities, preserving traditional customs while adapting to the local environment. Women and young girls dress in vibrant traditional attire, adorned with sixteen ornaments or "Solah Shringar" symbolizing marital prosperity. They gather at local community centers or temples to worship idols of Gaura Mata, crafted from clay or sand. The rituals include offering small flour-based jewelry items called Gune to Goddess Parvati, singing folk songs in her honor, and participating in puja ceremonies with devotion. The festival often concludes with the symbolic immersion of Gaura Mata’s idol, reflecting the goddess's return to Lord Shiva. This celebration in London not only fosters a sense of cultural unity but also allows people to stay connected to their roots while living abroad.