INVC News
Haridwar, Kashi : Gauri Vrat, also known as Morakat Vrat, is a significant fasting period dedicated to Goddess Parvati. It is primarily observed in Gujarat, India. The fasting of Gauri Puja is mainly undertaken by unmarried girls who seek a good husband.
In 2023, Gauri Vrat will take place from Thursday, June 29th to Monday, July 3rd. The fasting period lasts for five days, starting on Shukla Paksha Ekadashi (the eleventh day of the bright lunar fortnight) and concluding on Purnima (the full moon) day, which coincides with Guru Purnima.
The specific timings for Gauri Vrat in 2023 are as follows:
Gauri Vrat begins on Thursday, June 29, 2023.
Jaya Parvati Vrat falls on Saturday, July 1, 2023.
Gauri Vrat ends on Monday, July 3, 2023.
Ekadashi Tithi (eleventh day of the lunar fortnight) begins on June 29, 2023, at 03:18 AM.
Ekadashi Tithi ends on June 30, 2023, at 02:42 AM.
During this period, unmarried girls observe fasting and perform rituals dedicated to Goddess Parvati. It is believed to bring blessings and fulfill their wishes, particularly in finding a suitable life partner.
During Gauri Vrat, unmarried girls follow a strict fast and abstain from consuming grains, pulses, and salt. They offer prayers and perform various rituals to seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati. The fasting period is seen as an act of devotion and a way to purify oneself both physically and spiritually.
Throughout the five days of Gauri Vrat, girls decorate idols or pictures of Goddess Parvati with colorful attire, jewelry, and flowers. They create intricate rangoli designs and adorn their homes with vibrant decorations. Special puja ceremonies are conducted, and hymns and prayers dedicated to the goddess are recited.
One of the significant rituals during Gauri Vrat is the “Gauri Avahan” or the welcoming of Goddess Gauri. Girls invite married women or elderly women to their homes and offer them clothes, sweets, and gifts as a gesture of respect. These women are considered the earthly forms of the goddess and are revered during this time.
The Jaya Parvati Vrat, which falls on July 1, 2023, holds great importance during Gauri Vrat. On this day, girls observe a waterless fast, which means they refrain from consuming even water throughout the day. It is believed that observing this strict fast will bring blessings and fulfill their desires.
On the concluding day of Gauri Vrat, which coincides with Guru Purnima, girls perform the “Gauri Visarjan” or immersion of the idol of Goddess Parvati in water. They bid farewell to the goddess, expressing gratitude for her presence and blessings during the fasting period.
Gauri Vrat is not only a religious observance but also a time for community gatherings and celebrations. Families and friends come together, exchange greetings, and share meals. It is an occasion for bonding, joy, and the strengthening of social ties.
The significance of Gauri Vrat lies in its association with Goddess Parvati, who is revered as the embodiment of divine feminine energy and power. By observing this vrat, unmarried girls seek the blessings of the goddess for a happy married life and a loving and supportive husband.
Overall, Gauri Vrat is a time of devotion, prayer, and fasting dedicated to Goddess Parvati, and it holds immense cultural and spiritual significance for the people of Gujarat.
