Our Bureau
New Jersey
Rajasthani Organization of American Residents (ROAR) celebrated Rajasthan Diwas and Gangaur festival with lot of fun, joy and entertainment on 29th March 2025 in New Jersey, USA.
Gangaur is a Hindu festival primarily celebrated in Rajasthan, India, honoring Goddess Gauri (Parvati) and Lord Shiva, symbolizing marital bliss, and celebrated with rituals, ceremonies, and community gatherings. “Gangaur” is derived from “Gan” (Lord Shiva) and “Gaur” (Goddess Gauri/Parvati), signifying the divine couple. Women observe fasts, worship idols of Shiva and Parvati, and participate in processions and community gatherings.
Program started in traditional Rajasthani way, with ROAR women conducting the Gangaur Pooja which lasted over an hour., Like every year, Eco-friendly Clay idols of Shiva and Parvati are used for the Gangaur pooja, which came specially from Jaipur, Rajasthan for the occasion.
All men, women and children were dressed in traditional Rajasthani attire like Ghaghara Choli, Lehanga, men dressed in kurta-payjamas, sherwanis, dhoti-kurta and pagadis.
Cultural program started post the pooja, where the ROAR members both male and females participated, Men and women danced on the traditional Rajasthani songs and music.
Post the performances, Gangaur mata bindora started with ladies carrying Gangaur Mata and water kalash on their heads. Ladies and gents were dancing throughout the Bindora procession and walked for a mile before seeing off the Gangaur Mata. At the end of the procession, eco-friendly statues of Ishar and Gangaur were immersed in the nearby river by the members of the organization, following the traditions of Gangaur, with a promise to see her again next year.
Members of the ROAR organization prepared traditional Rajasthani Food like Mirch ke pakode, daal ki pakodiya, Kachori – Aloo ki sabji, Daal Baati, Churma, Aloo ki Baati, dhokala, Saboo dane ki khichari, Gatte ki sabji, dahi bade, chole- poori, kanji, thandai, maal-pua, daal ka halwa, kheerthandai, paan-ki-kheer, pede, and many more delicious foods.
ROAR President – Mrs. Tarang Soni thanked everyone, all its members and shared the special message from Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri. Bhajan Lal ji Sharma on Rajasthan Diwas and celebration of Rajasthani Diwas abroad.
