The festival of Gangaur is celebrated by various communities in the state of Rajasthan, especially by the women folk for a blissful married life. The word, ‘Gangaur’, itself symbolically indicate to the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati, with ‘gan’ referring to Lord Shiva and ‘gaur’ to Gauri or Parvati. The street shops of Jodhpur are full of idols of this divine couple, Gauri and her husband Isar (Lord Shiva). They are made of different mediums, wood being the most popular one.

Represented in true Rajasthani style and fashion, these idols can become a perfect souvenir to carry back home with wide range of option in sizes, from few centimetres to a meter in height. Their depiction can vary for different ethnic groups, which also widens the range of choice.

Shop selling colourful idols of Gangaur, Jodhpur. Photograph Courtesy: Sushmit

Idols of Gauri and Isar, Polychrome wood, Jodhpur. Photograph Courtesy: Sushmit.