Seminar and Photo Exhibition Organized on the Occasion of Gangaur Festival

Udaipur: Dr. Piyush Bhadaviya, Senior Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Mohanlal Sukhadia University, informed that the department organized a seminar and photo exhibition on the theme “Cultural Heritage of Rajasthan and the Symbol of Women’s Honor: Gangaur Festival.”

The event began with a welcome address by the Head of the Department, Prof. Digvijay Bhatnagar, followed by the introductory remarks presented by Dr. Piyush Bhadaviya. Speakers at the seminar emphasized that the Gangaur festival is not merely a celebration of पूजा rituals and processions, but also a meaningful occasion that reflects the enduring nature of emotional and spiritual relationships.

Environmentalist Mahesh Sharma, while presenting a moving exhibition of photographs depicting 150 years of Gangaur celebrations, highlighted that Gangaur is one of the most significant festivals of worship in Mewar. He noted that in an era where marital relationships are increasingly strained, the festival represents a beautiful initiative of dialogue, mutual respect, and dedication.

Prof. Pratibha, drawing from her personal experiences, described the festival as a strong example of preserving social values and cultural traditions. Historian Dr. Shrikrishna Jugnu elaborated on various aspects of Mewar as the land of Gaurja, Gaur, Gavri, and Gangaur. He explained that the festival symbolically introduces young girls to ideas of choice, acceptance, and marriage. He also discussed how the Gangaur tradition spread across the country through the caravans of Banjaras and highlighted elements like abduction, adornment, and processions as symbols of cultural pride. He added that the roots of this festival can be traced back to ancient texts such as Devi Purana and Nirnaya Sindhu.

Dr. Vinita Vagarecha, who completed her Ph.D. on Gangaur from Sukhadia University, presented the psychological aspects of Gangaur songs and stories, stating that the festival provides women with a powerful medium of expression despite societal restrictions. Theatre artist Vilas Janve highlighted the spread of Gangaur traditions from Mewar to Maharashtra.

During the event, a booklet on Gangaur prepared by Dr. Chandraprakash Chittora was released, along with the unveiling of a chalk-crafted idol of Goddess Gauri.

The program was attended by Dr. Manish Shrimali, Dr. Mohit Shankar Sisodia, Dr. Aditi Soni, Dr. Pravesh Kumar, and several teachers, research scholars, and students including Kriti, Deepak, Hrithik, and Parikshita Singh.