Dhinga Gavar
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Dhinga Gavar is a festival celebrated in Jodhpur, in Western Rajasthan in India. "Dhinga" literally means "fun by deception"; Gavar, also known as Gangaur is the consort of Shiva. The festival of Gangaur is celebrated throughout India, but that of Dhinga Gavar is celebrated only in Jodhpur.
Time and Location
The festival of Ganguar starts from the next day of the spring festival Holi, which falls on the full-moon day of the month Phagun of the Hindu calendar. Ganguar is worshipped mainly by newly-wed brides, unmarried girls, and married women. Every day, they dress in traditional ceremonial Rajasthan costume and worship clay or wood statues of Isar (Shiva) and his consort Gangaur (Parvati), beseeching them for marital bliss. The festival ends on the following third day of no moon (amawas) of month chaitra. Thus, the celebration lasts for sixteen days because of a shortfall in tithi which is common in the lunar calendar. On this final day of the festival, a huge procession of well-decorated images of Ishar is taken through the main markets of cities; large crowds assemble in the streets to pray to them.[citation needed]
On this day, Teej in Jodhpur, one image of Ganaur without Isar, known as Dhinga Gavar,[2] is established at 11 important streets (mohalla) within the old fort wall of Jodhpur. It is worshipped by all women: married, unmarried, and widows.[3][citation needed]
