In order to promote Rajasthani culture in the Greater Philadelphia area, the Philadelphia Rajasthani Mandal (PARAM) will be celebrating its 16th Gangaur Festival on March 19 at Bhartiya Temple in Chalfont, PA.
Gangaur is one of the most important festivals of the people of Rajasthan and is observed throughout the state with great fervour and devotion by women who worship Goddess Gauri - the consort of Lord Shiva - during the month of Chaitra (March – April). The festival also marks the celebration of spring, harvest, marital fidelity, conjugal blessedness and childbearing, PARAM said in a news release.
This year PARAM has pledged to support the United Nation’s International Year of Millets initiative to incorporate and promote awareness of the importance of millets in daily diet due to their nutritional value.
According to the release, Dr Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General of India, New York, will be attending the event as the chief guest and Prem Bhandari, president, of Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA), New York, will be the guest of honor. The upcoming event will be attended by a multitude of Rajasthani and Indian origin people in the United States.
