Gangaur (Gauri Tritiya) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Married Women: Married women worship Goddess Gauri for the long life, health and happiness of their husbands (Akhand Saubhagya).
• Unmarried Girls: Unmarried girls pray to Gauri and Lord Shiva for a good and loving husband (Yogya Var).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: Bathe early and prepare the puja space and the Gauri idol in the morning.
• Main Puja: The Gauri Puja is done in the morning after sunrise. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Evening Celebrations: In Rajasthan, the idols are taken out in a procession and immersed in water in the afternoon or evening, while in Maharashtra, the Haldi-Kumkum gatherings continue through the day (regional practice differs).
• Breaking the Fast: Women who fast eat once the puja is complete, usually in the evening (families differ).

About the Festival

Gangaur is a much-loved festival dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati) and Lord Shiva, celebrated by women with songs, new clothes and decorated idols, especially in Rajasthan. It takes place on the Tritiya (third day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra.

The Vrat Katha (Story of Gauri and Shiva)

Long ago, Goddess Parvati, born as the daughter of the mountain king Himavan, resolved to have Lord Shiva as her husband. Shiva was a hermit lost in meditation, and he paid no attention to her. Parvati did not lose heart, and she left her palace to perform severe penance in the forest.

For many years, she stood in prayer through heat, rain and cold. She gave up comfort and food, living only on leaves and later on water, until the whole world marvelled at her devotion. Her unwavering faith moved the heavens themselves. Hearing of her penance, Lord Shiva was touched by her love and her determination.

Lord Shiva came before her, and the Lord said: "Your devotion has conquered me. I accept you as my wife, and I bless every woman who worships you with unbroken marital happiness." The two were married with great joy, and Gauri was honoured by all. Since that day, women have observed the Gangaur fast, worshipping Gauri and seeking a lasting, happy marriage.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Idol / Image: Clay or painted idols of Gauri (Gangaur) and Isar (Lord Shiva), placed on a Chowki
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Haldi (turmeric), and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop (incense)
• Floral Offerings: Fresh flowers, Durva grass, and a garland
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Ghewar, Puri, Halwa, Gujiya, and fruits (the sweets vary by region)
• Suhag Items: Sindoor, bangles, bindi, mehndi, and a new cloth (Chunari) for Gauri

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes (preferably red, yellow, or green; avoid wearing black).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Mother Gauri, today I observe this vrat with pure devotion. Bless my marriage with love and long life, and grant my family happiness."
3. Observe the fast through the day. Women commonly eat only once, after the puja (families differ).

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Morning)

1. Clean the puja space and place a Chowki covered with a clean cloth.
2. Place the idols or pictures of Gauri and Isar (Lord Shiva) on the Chowki, and dress Gauri in a new Chunari.
3. Place a Kalash filled with water near the idols, and decorate the altar with flowers.
4. In some regions, Gauri is also worshipped on a swing (Dola), as in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Step 3: Performing the Morning Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense before the idols.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, Haldi and Akshat to Gauri and Isar.
3. Offering Suhag Items: Offer Sindoor, bangles, bindi and Mehndi to Goddess Gauri.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place Ghewar, Halwa, Puri and fruits before the deities.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Gangaur Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, offer the grains and petals at the deity's feet.

Step 5: Aarti and Folk Songs

1. Perform the Gauri Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Women gather to sing traditional Gangaur songs, and in Rajasthan they dance and carry the idols in a procession.
3. In Rajasthan, the idols are gently immersed in a pond or well at the end of the festival (Visarjan), while in Maharashtra, women invite each other for Haldi-Kumkum and offer Prasad.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Married women receive Sindoor and blessings from older women, and Prasad is shared among family members and neighbours.
3. Break your fast by partaking in the Prasad and a simple sattvic meal.