As known, fairs and festivals have been an indispensable part for people of Rajasthan. Mewar Festival is one amongst these fairs. This fair is well talked about, in India as well as on international forums. The extravaganza is a visual feast with Rajasthani songs, dances, processions, devotional music and firework unfolding the brightness of Udaipur City! The ethnic affair coincides with Gangaur-which is one of the most awaited festive-culture of Rajasthan, especially by the women folks of Rajasthan.
This year Mewar Festival of Udaipur is to be celebrated for three days: from 13th April to 15th April,2013
The fair is held in two parts where the first part holds the religious importance and after this comes the joy of celebration which includes various performances on Rajasthani folk-songs, dances like Kalbelia, Gavri dance etc. and other art forms like snake-charming, chari-dance, etc. The most scintillating feature of this festival is the grand procession that takes place on ‘Gangaur Ghat’ in Udaipur as the auspicious water from this ghat is used in filling up the pots, to be carried by the women participants for the religious ceremony. Thereafter, the procession flocks towards the Jagdish Chowk, near Jagdish Mandir at the crossing of City Palace of Udaipur. The procession begins with enthusiastic performers singing, dancing and leading the procession through all major streets and roads of Udaipur. Lots of people, particularly women take an active part in the procession, as they would never want to miss a chance to get decked up in their best attires!!
The three-day Mewar festival of Rajasthan comes to an end when the idols of Isar and Gangaur are taken to Lake Pichola of Udaipur. Then the idols are transferred on a specially decorated boat with much ardor and solemnity!! This is then followed by the Royal Treat as the Royals of Udaipur, participates in the rituals, of carrying ‘Gangaur Ki Sawari’ in 5ft long boat. This boat is decorated and ducked up with colorful stuffs for the royal carriage of Gangaur only!
So if you are a pinning up options for globetrotting then this is the event that should not be missed!
“Padharo Maahre Desh”!
