DADELDHURA: The Gaura festival, a traditional celebration of the Sudurpaschim Province, has begun today.
On the first day of the festival, fasting women observe the ritual of soaking ‘Biruda’—a mixture of five types of grains and legumes—marking the occasion known as ‘Biruda Panchami’.
As part of the ritual, a copper vessel is coated with cow dung, purified, and decorated with ‘Akshata’ (sacred rice). The ‘Biruda’ is then placed inside the vessel, symbolizing an offering to Goddess Gauri. It is used in the worship of Gaura Devi, a form of Parbati.
Khageshwari Saud, a cultural expert, explained that the Gaura festival begins formally on ‘Biruda Panchami’ following the fast observed on ‘Putrada Ekadashi.’
“One should maintain a pure vegetarian diet and celibacy for a month before the festival,” Saud said. “As the ‘Biruda’ is soaked, women begin singing the sacred ‘Mangalika Sagun Fang’ hymns.”
During the festival, women wear a ‘duvadhago’ (sacred thread) similar to men, as part of the religious observance. “Gaura is our major festival, and just like men, women also wear ‘duvadhago’ as an offering,” he added. “It is believed that fasting and worship during Gaura bring health, longevity, and prosperity to one’s husband and family.”
From this day onward, communities also begin playing Deuda, a traditional group dance and song. Since ancient times, it has been customary to worship Parbati—consort of Lord Shiva—as Gaura Devi, the daughter of the Himalayan king and queen, Himalaya and Menaka.
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