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Nepal Celebrates Late Summer Festival Of “Gaura” Singing Songs Of Faith And Struggle

Nepali Hindu women dance in a circle to celebrate the late summer festival of ''Gaura,'' singing songs of faith and struggle in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025. The festival, observed for five days and led primarily by women, has roots in ancient scriptures and centers on the worship of Goddess Gaura, also known as Hindu goddess Parvati, and her union with Lord Shiva. The word Gaura refers to Gauri, another name for Goddess Parvati, and there are more than one thousand eight hundred names for her in total. Gaura Parva commemorates Parvati's penance to win Shiva as her husband. It marks the divine marriage between the two deities, an event mentioned in the Himavat Khanda, a segment of the Skanda Purana in Hinduism and several other Puranas. In these accounts, Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya, worships Shiva through strict fasting. Her devotion eventually results in their union, which devotees continue to celebrate every year. The Manas Khanda section of the Skanda Purana places Gaura's origins in the Himalayan region, specifically among communities in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India. The festival is most prominently celebrated in Nepal across the far-western districts of Doti, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Bajhang, Achham, and Bajura. It falls in August or September, depending on the lunar calendar. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#12698170
Date Taken	31 August 2025
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Religion and Belief
Copyright	© 2025 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

Large Group of People Nepali Hindu women dance circle Gaura festival late summer Kathmandu August 2025 five days women-led ancient scriptures worship Goddess Gaura Hindu goddess Parvati Lord Shiva Gauri penance divine marriage Himavat Khanda Skanda Purana Puranas Himalaya strict fasting devotion union Manas Khanda Himalayan region Kumaon Uttarakhand India Nepal far-western districts Doti Baitadi Dadeldhura Darchula Bajhang Achham Bajura lunar calendar Subaas Shrestha NurPhoto.

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