Hisar, March 22: After 16 days of worship within their homes, Gangaur was bid farewell with great pomp and show on Saturday. In the evening, women from Badwali Dhani set out for the immersion ceremony of Gangaur, dancing to the beats of Haryanvi and Rajasthani songs played on a DJ system. Following the rituals performed at the site, Gangaur was immersed. Throughout the journey, the women danced enthusiastically and took selfies with Gangaur. Prior to this, prayers and worship continued in homes throughout the day.
The women applied *mehndi* (henna) on their hands and sang songs dedicated to Gangaur. Women eagerly await this festival throughout the entire year; while it is immensely popular in Rajasthan, it is now gaining significant popularity in Haryana as well. The women explained that the Gangaur festival primarily involves the worship of Goddess Parvati (Gauri) and Lord Shiva (Isar).
This festival symbolizes the sacred love between Shiva and Parvati, eternal marital bliss, and a harmonious married life. During the festivities, the women sang various songs such as "Gara Ki Gangaur Kuan Par Kyon Re Khadi Hai," "Hinglu Bhar Balad Laya Re," "Mhara Maan Gumani Dhola," "O Ji Mhare Angan Kuvalo Khuda Do," "Je Ko Thando Pani," "Mathan Bhanwar Ghada Ri Gangaur," "Ghada Ri Gangaur," "Ishardas Ji Biro Chunari Rangai," and "Chamakkan Ghaghro Chamakkan Cheer."
The women further explained that for sixteen days, starting from the second day after Holi, young girls worship Isar and Gangaur every morning. A newlywed bride, in the first year of her marriage, returns to her maternal home (*pihar*) to perform the Gangaur worship. For this reason, it is also referred to as the "Festival of Marital Bliss" (*Suhag Parv*). Legend has it that on *Chaitra Shukla Tritiya* (the third day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra), Gauri—the daughter of King Himachal—was married to Lord Shankar (Shiva).
This festival is celebrated in commemoration of that auspicious event. On this occasion, Seema, Vishakha, Urmila, Chitra, Archana, Sushila, Chanda, Vineeta, Kiran, Lalita, Sonia, Sanu, Santosh, Pushpa Devi, Savita, Pooja, Jyoti, Hema, and others were present.