Parvati or gauri is the consort of Shiva, the destroyer. The festival is held in her honour as she is the symbol of virtue and fidelity and as such is the mythological role model of married women.
Gangaur is the most important local festival in Rajasthan. It is believed that if unmarried girls observe the rituals of this festival they will get married to the spouses of their choice and married women observe the same for the happiness and long life of their husbands. The celebrations in Jaipur and Udaipur have a unique charm and attraction. The festival is also celebrated with great pomp and show in Bikaner, Jodhpur, Marathwara and Jaisalmer.
The festivities begin almost a fortnight before the actual day. Girls worship the goddess throughout the preceding fortnight. Colourful images of Gauri are taken out in procession accompanied by the town band. Thousands of people from the countryside come to take part in the procession of the Gangaur image from village to village.
Another unique thing about this festival is that on this occasion, tribal men and women have an opportunity to meet and interact freely and during this time, they select partners and marry by eloping.

Where: Rajasthan.