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In Mount Abu
too, the fairs and the festivals are celebrated with the grandeur, befitting
the majesty of these glorious classic mountains. The tribal folk of the
region lend special colors to the festivities, leaving a lasting spell over
all the visitors |
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Gangaur Festival (March-
April)
A festival for the young maids and the married women,
dedicated to Gauri, the incarnation of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord
Shiva, one of the Triumvirates and the destroyer, in the pantheon of Hindu
religion. Married women pray for the prosperity and the longevity of their
husbands, while spinsters seek good husbands for themselves from the
benevolent Goddess. A colorful procession is taken out with pomp and gaiety
during this festival. Gangaur holds a very special place for the Grasia
tribal, inhabitants of Sirohi-Mount Abu region. They celebrate this festival
over a period of one month. The usual and the interesting feature of their
celebration is the procession of the Gangaur image from village to village.
The tribal youths get an opportunity to meet and mingle freely with the
tribal belles and select a bride for them and marry them after a ritualistic
elopement. Indeed, a romantic though a rather strange custom, but fully
sanctioned by the society. |