Gonda: The vibrant spirit of tradition and devotion came alive as the Gangaur Festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Shri Ram Janaki Marwari Dharamshala in Rani Bazar. The event was organized by the women’s wing of Marwari Yuva Manch (Devi Patan Chapter), drawing participation from a large number of women and families from the Marwari community.
The celebrations began a day earlier, on Friday evening, when members ceremonially installed idols of Goddess Gangaur in the temple premises. On Saturday, married and newlywed women gathered carrying idols from their homes, offering prayers, water, and prasad to Goddess Gangaur, seeking the long life and well-being of their husbands.
The formal programme commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Neelam Jain, Savita Goyal, and Gunjan Modi. The event opened with a graceful Ganesh Vandana dance, followed by a series of cultural performances and competitions. Participants including Hina and Diksha Singhal, Shreya Bansal, Vartika and Seema Somani, Priya Bhavsinhka, and Anshika Bhavsinhka performed traditional dances on Gangaur-themed songs, captivating the audience.
A bridal-themed dance segment saw enthusiastic participation from Tanvi Agarwal, Harshita Naharia, Sakshi Agarwal, Shreya Bansal, Pankhudi Jalan, Anamika Agarwal, and Palak Agarwal, adding elegance and color to the celebrations.
Engaging activities such as a one-minute game show and surprise quizzes kept the audience entertained, with winners receiving prizes from the women members. A lively Housie game, conducted by Bhavna Somani and team members, added to the festive cheer.
The venue also featured multiple stalls offering sarees, suits, accessories, games, and a variety of food items including bakery goods, chocolates, chaat, and ice cream—enjoyed by women and children alike.
The event was smoothly anchored by Neelam Jain and Neetu Garg. Several members of the women’s wing, including Varsha Agarwal, Anita Maniramka, Pushpa Singhal, Sarita Agarwal, Sarita Maheshwari, Rita Kabra, Premlata Singhal, Sangeeta Bhavsinhka, Supriya Singhal, and others, were actively involved in organizing the celebrations.
Prominent present members of the main organization, including provincial office bearers Vikas Jain and Mukesh Naharia, also attended the event.
The grand celebration reflected the rich cultural heritage and unity of the Marwari community, making the Gangaur Festival a memorable and joyous occasion in Gonda.
