Gaura festival shines in Far-west: ‘Nani Gaura’ observed today

Baitadi: The Gaura festival is being celebrated with grandeur across the Far West, with the second day of the festival, known as ‘Nani Gaura’, being observed today.

Cultural expert Acharya Vishnudatta Bhatta explained that it is customary for women to wash the Biruda soaked on Biruda Panchami—the festival’s first day—in nearby streams or ponds. In the local language, this ritual marks the celebration of Nani Gaura.

On this day, an idol of Gaura is made using plants such as saun, sesame, and apamarga. Gaura Devi is worshipped with Biruda, while fruits grown in the fields are offered as prasad. Mythology holds that Gaura Devi, or Parvati, attained Lord Shiva through fasting and devotion, a union that is commemorated through this festival.

The festival’s main day is Durvastami or Athawali. On the third day, Saptami, it is customary to bring Gaura, while on the following day, women dedicate a sacred thread called Dubdhago to Gaura Devi and wear it on the main day of Gaura, Gaurashtami or Athawali.

In this tradition, women wear Dubdhago just as men wear janeu. Locally, Gaura celebrated in Shukla Paksha is called Ujeli Gaura, while that in Krishna Paksha is called Andheri Gaura. This year, Ujeli Gaura is being celebrated.

Along with religious rituals, the festival is marked by cultural games and performances, including Dhusko, Dhamari, Chait, and Deuda, adding vibrancy to the celebrations.