The great festival of Sudurpaschim Province, the Gaura festival, began today with the rite of dipping the grains of Biruda on Biruda Panchami. Women fast and put on a sacred thread known as duvadhago and pray to a particular form of the goddess, Parbati, who is known as Gaura Devi, to ensure the well-being of their families. Singing of sacred hymns and the traditional Deuda dance also characterize the festival, and it is an age old cultural practice that glorifies Parbati as the daughter of the Himalayas.
Gaura Festival Begins in Sudurpashim Province
