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Mewar Festival in Udaipur: Gangaur on the water
Boats carry the goddess across the lake as the palace turns gold at dusk
The Mewar Festival is Udaipur's celebration of Gangaur, the spring festival of the goddess Gauri (Parvati), held over three days from the third lunar day of the bright half of Chaitra. Next dates: 9–11 April 2027. Women carry the images of Isar (Shiva) and Gangaur through the old city to Gangaur Ghat, and at dusk the images go out onto Lake Pichola by boat, with fireworks over the water.
Rajasthan Tourism publishes the dates years ahead (its current list gives 2026–2028) and can revise them; check its calendar a few months before.
The legend
The Mewar Festival coincides with Gangaur, the festival of Gauri, that is Parvati, Shiva's consort. The name joins Gana, for Shiva, and Gauri.
Gangaur celebrates the union of Shiva and Parvati. Unmarried girls pray for a good husband, married women for their husbands' health and long life.
Udaipur was long the seat of the Mewar rulers, which gives its Gangaur a flavour of its own, with the finale out on Lake Pichola.
Customs
Dressing Gauri
Women dress the images of Isar (Shiva) and Gangaur in new clothes and carry them in procession through the old city.
Boats on Pichola
At dusk the images go out by boat to the middle of Lake Pichola for immersion, followed by decorated boats, and fireworks close the evening.
Henna on the eve
On the eve of Gangaur women decorate their palms and fingers with henna.
Where to celebrate
Udaipur
Udaipur's Gangaur: women carry the images of Isar and Gangaur through the old city to Gangaur Ghat, and at dusk the images go out onto Lake Pichola by boat, with fireworks over the water.
Gangaur, the Udaipur way
Gangaur is celebrated across Rajasthan. The name joins Gana, for Shiva, and Gauri, for Parvati, and the festival honours their union: unmarried girls pray for a good husband, married women for their husbands' health and long life. Rajasthan Tourism describes the Mewar Festival as a welcome to spring and as a festival especially for women, a chance to dress in their finest and join the celebrations.
Udaipur was long the seat of the Mewar rulers, and that gives its Gangaur a character of its own. Mewar is the historical region of south-eastern Rajasthan around Udaipur and Chittorgarh. Here the images do not simply return to a temple: they are taken out onto Lake Pichola, with the City Palace behind them. Markets and shopfronts are decorated with lights for the days of the festival.
How the festival runs
The order of events below is the usual pattern; the detailed programme is announced locally each year.
- The eve: henna
On the eve of Gangaur women decorate their palms and fingers with henna.
- Dressing the images
Women dress the images of Isar and Gangaur in new clothes and carry them in procession through the old city, down the lanes from Jagdish Chowk towards the lake.
- Gangaur Ghat
At the ghat beside Bagore ki Haveli the images are worshipped, and the cultural programme of dance and song is staged here.
- Boats on Pichola
At dusk the images go out by boat to the middle of Lake Pichola for immersion, followed by decorated boats. This is the main evening of the festival, usually on day two. Fireworks close the evening.
- Gogunda
Part of the programme is held in Gogunda, a small town about 35 km north-west of Udaipur, according to the Ministry of Tourism listing.
Where to watch
Watching from the ghats and lanes is free. There are two good vantage points for the evening on the lake.
Gangaur Ghat and the lake steps
Closest to the worship and the stage. Free to stand on, but packed well before dusk.
Ambrai Ghat
On the far shore, facing the City Palace: the wider view of the boats on the water.
The old-city lanes
Around Jagdish Chowk, for the women's procession on its way down to the lake.
Planning and etiquette
Udaipur is busy for these days, and rooms by the lake go first.
- Book the view early — Rooms facing Lake Pichola or Gangaur Ghat go first: book about two months ahead. Trains and flights are usually fine a month ahead, since the festival falls after Udaipur's winter peak.
- Arrive a day early — To be in place for the procession on the first day; lakeside rooms with a view of Gangaur Ghat go early.
- It is a rite, not a show — The procession is women's worship of the goddess. Give it room, do not walk through it for photos, and ask before photographing people up close.
- Crowds by the water — The ghats fill early and the steps are narrow. Keep away from the edge of the water, agree a meeting point and keep valuables in a front pocket. More in Is India safe?.
Gangaur elsewhere
Gangaur in Jaipur falls on the same or overlapping days, with a procession from the City Palace, so you have to choose one city. Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur pair well with a stay in Udaipur.
FAQ
When is the Mewar Festival?
Next: 9–11 April 2027. It runs for three days from Gangaur, the third lunar day of the bright half of Chaitra, usually between late March and mid-April.
Where is the Mewar Festival celebrated?
In Udaipur, Rajasthan: in the old city, at Gangaur Ghat beside Bagore ki Haveli and on Lake Pichola. Part of the programme is held in Gogunda, about 35 km north-west.
Is the Mewar Festival the same as Gangaur?
It coincides with Gangaur and is built around it. The Mewar Festival is the name Rajasthan Tourism uses for Udaipur's three-day Gangaur celebrations.
Where is the Mewar region?
Mewar is a historical region of south-eastern Rajasthan, covering Udaipur, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Pratapgarh districts. Udaipur was long the seat of its rulers.
Is it free to watch?
Yes. Watching from Gangaur Ghat, the lake steps and Ambrai Ghat is free, but the ghats fill well before dusk.
Sources (5)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.