Mewar Spring Festival: A Mosaic of Everything Beautiful

Stretching for a fortnight post Holi, Gangaur is one of the most important festivals of Rajasthan. It is celebrated by both unmarried and married women, who worship Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati and seek their blessings for a happy and prosperous married life. While the whole state celebrates this festival with utmost pomp and gaiety, the scene in Udaipur is by far unparalleled. For one, Udaipur has the power of making everything seem spectacular with its exotic palaces and lakes. For another, the Mewar Spring Festival falls during this time, from April 13-15 and attracts hordes of tourists, keen on catching a glimpse of Rajasthan’s festival celebrations. The city decks up like a bride or maybe it is just the ladies, but the effect is that of a grand celebration.

Beautiful maidens dressed in their best attire. Photo Credit: Michael Foley Photography / flickr

A typical pooja scene is marked with women dressed in their best attire, sitting in a circle and singing “Khelan dyo gangaur, bhanwar mahne pujan dyo Gangaur “, while dancing.

If you consider yourself a fan of Rajasthani music and like listening to ghoomar songs, wait till you hear the unbreakable chorus of gangaur songs sung by these ladies, as they carry the idols of Isar and Gangaur during the procession. Starting from Jagdish Chowk, the procession covers different parts of the city. The magnificent Pichola Lake makes for a perfect venue for the culmination of prayers and the submersion of the idols at Gangaur Ghat. The spectacle is no less than those beautiful paintings of Rajasthani women clad in their traditional attire engaged in different activities, enclosed in an exquisite frame. In fact, it is better than that for it is real!

Folk dances are a big attraction at the Mewar Spring Festival. Photo Credit: Vivek Chauhan

After the ceremonies are over, the town begins to welcome spring with its magical Mewar Spring Festival. The same lake that sees the devotional fervour of the women folk in the morning becomes a stage for concerts and dances, and is a major tourist attraction. With puppet shows, folk dances like ghoomar, kalbelia and chirmi and exotic folk music, the festival is a complete cultural indulgence. Watching the decorated boats sail in the spectacular lake makes for yet another enjoyable experience. For a perfect ending, bedazzling fireworks literally take the celebrations to new heights on the last evening of the festival. Be it any hour of the day, Udaipur is every photographer’s delight during the festival.

Organised by the Department of Tourism, the Mewar Spring Festival provides ample opportunities to enjoy world-famous Rajasthani hospitality. From performances to food and decorations, everything is set to impress. To experience this royal city in its true essence, I strongly recommend an indulgent stay at one of Udaipur’s luxury hotels built within a palace.

This festival is your gateway to an extremely memorable holiday in Udaipur. So, visit Rajasthan and be part of the festival celebrations in the City of Lakes. Book your hotel and flight only on MakeMyTrip.com!