Gaura (festival)

In Nepal, the celebration period of Gaura Parva could either fall in the bright lunar phase of Bhadra month (Bhadra śukla pakṣa) or in the dark lunar phase of the Bhadra month (Bhadra kṛṣṇa pakṣa), which is determined according to astrological calculations. The Gaura which falls on Krishna Paksha (dark lunar phase) is known as Adheri Gaura and which falls on Shukla Paksha (bright lunar phase) is known as Ujeli Gaura.[9]

During Ujeli Gaura, the celebration of Gaura Parva begins at Bhadra māsa śukla pakṣa panchami tithi and ends on the day of Bhadra masa śukla paksha ashtami tithi. However, on the year while the rise of Agastya constellation (Canopus) is prior to Bhadra śukla ashtami, the festival is celebrated 15 days later during the dark phase of the month (kṛṣṇa pakṣa). And during Adheri Gaura, the celebration of Gaura Parva usually begins at Bhadra māsa kṛṣṇa pakṣa panchami tithi and ends on the day of Bhadra masa kṛṣṇa paksha ashtami tithi.[10]

In India, the festival is celebrated from the day of Bhadra māsa śukla pakṣa panchami tithi to day of Bhadra masa śukla paksha ashtami tithi.[11]

Biruda (soaked grains and beans) being flung up in the air on the final day of the festival. The devotees catch the grains as a prasad.

The festival officially begins on the day of Biruda Panchami (fifth day of the fortnight according to Hindu calendar). On this day, the married women soak five types of seeds (wheat, horse gram, pea, rhododendron and black gram), also known as Pancha Biruda following specified rituals, in a bronze or brass vessel.[13][14] The women fast for a whole day on this day.[15]

In the day after, known as Shashthi (sixth day according to lunar calendar), the soaked grains are taken to nearest pond, river and spring and then washed. On this day, the women gather in the washing spot and sing deuda songs and dance. The grains are then brought back to the house.

Idol of goddess Gaura

On the day of Saptami (seventh day according to lunar calendar), the Biruda is taken to nearest temple.[16] The women pluck plants of five different grains from a specified field and take it to the village elder's house. The house where the plants are taken is known as Gaura Ghar. In absence of village elder, the celebration could be carried out in any specified house.

An idol of goddess Gaura is made using the grasses. The grasses are kept in a bamboo basket and covered with red cloth. The women performing the ritual fast for the whole day and wear a holy thread made of dubo grass on their neck.[17][18] In the evening the idol is worshipped and different garment and cosmetic items are offered to the goddess.[19]

The next day of Ashtami (eighth day according to lunar calendar, also known as Athebali and Gaurashtami) is the most important day of festival. On this day, the women gather at a place known as Gaura khalo and fast and sing prayers dedicated to Gauri and Maheshwar. In the afternoon, married women who had soak Biruda and completed the rituals, offer blessings to their relatives for good health and prosperity.[20]

An idol of lord Shiva is made using stones or wood. The wedding ceremony of goddess Gaura and lord Shiva is performed using those idols. The women carry the idols on their head and dance singing folk religious songs.[21] The soaked biruda is offered as prasada to people on this day. The idol are then dispersed on the nearest river after five to eleven days and the festival concludes.

The deuda dance is major part of this festival in which participants hold hands and form a circle as they stepped to traditional music. Apart from the many ceremonies that happen during this festival, it is the occasion for married women to put on the sacred thread.