Gaura Festival of Far Western Nepal

                             (Image: http://beautifulfarwestnepal.blogspot.com)

Gaura festival starts on the fifth day of the lunar dark (Krishnapachha – कृष्णपक्छ) or (bright fortnight – सूक्लपक्छ) in Bhadra (August/Sept) and ends on the eighth day. Women pray and celebrate this festival for the welfare of men particularly of husbands and sons.

This festival is for performing the marriage of the idols of Lord Maheswore (Shiva) with Goddess Gauri (Paravti). Women offer five different beans mixed together called ‘birudou’ soaked in water to the deities.

Men and women sing and perform dance called ‘Dueda”. Two groups: one of men only, and another of women only dance together holding hands of each other forming a circle in the rhythm of music, singing in turn describing about their love and friendship.

On the last day, men dance locking hands of each other in a circle rocking back and forth in the tune of music.