When is Gaura Parba?
Gaura Parba, or Gaura Parva is a lunar festival. The date of the festival is calculated by the official astrological committee (Panchang Samiti) every year.
The occurrence of festival usually falls in the month of either August or September according to Gregorian calendar and either Shrawan or Bhadra month according to Nepali calendar.
Traditions of Gaura Parba
Gaura Parba is a major festival of the Sudurpaschim Province and it is believed that Gauri Devi or Parbati got married to Lord Shiva Maheshwar as she observed fasting with devotion to get Lord Shiva.
Since then, this festival is being observed in memory of the marriage of Gauri Devi and Lord Shiva Maheshwar.
On the first day of the festival, the married women mark the beginning of the festival by soaking five types of grains in water in a copper pot.
The collection of the five grains including wheat, peas, and black gram is known as Biruda in the local dialect.
And, Biruda is received as Prasad. As per the tradition, the second day is a day of fasting during which the women prepare the portraits of Gaura Devi or goddess in the wee hours by visiting the source of water or well.
