Gangaur – Idols of Bikaner

Gangaur
Idols of Bikaner
Celebrating faith, craft,
culture & womanhood
Urvi Shah | Toy & Game Design
Guide : Carmina Fernandes & Sonal Chauhan

Copyright @ NID 2018
Digital Publication of student document
For private circulation only
Author - Urvi Shah | M.Des | Toy & Game Design | Batch 2016
National Institute of Design, India
Sources: Mentioned under the photograph
Unless otherwise stated.
All rights reserved under International Copyright ©
2018 convention. No part of this document may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
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retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the author and publisher.
Gangaur
Idols of Bikaner
Celebrating faith, craft, culture & womanhood
Urvi Shah | Toy & Game Design | 2016
Guided by: Carmina Fernandes & Sonal Chauhan

Dedicated to the innate flair
of the craftsmen and the kind
hearted people of Bikaner..

Deserts are calling
On an October afternoon while para-gliding over the Thar
desert at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, I was completely blown
off not just literally but by the beauty and grandeur of this
land. I always thought to myself that I want to appreciate
the smaller details and would definitely visit the other
parts of the desert state of Rajasthan.
So for the Craft documentation Project, I hence chose
to come to Bikaner in Rajasthan which is known for its
opulence and glory. The minute I stepped onto the Bikaner
Railway station and felt the cool breeze brush my skin, the
feeling was just as the winds hissed in my ears that,
”Be prepared for another enduring experience.”
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Preface
“Gangaur idols of Bikaner- Celebrating faith, craft,
culture & womanhood”, is a Craft documentation project
done during the 4th Semester of M.Des at National
Institute of Design. This document is a compilation based
on my understanding about the craft of making Gangaur
idols and it is composed with the information gathered on
the field by talking to people, artisans, local guides, and
also by books and all the experiences encountered. This
project helped me understand the origin of craft, people,
rituals, lifestyle and stories of the region and craft itself.
This data collection helped me relate with the people and
develop awareness and sensitivity towards artisans and
society in general.
The reason I chose this craft was because I had heard about
Gangaur from many of my Rajasthani /Marwadi friends
and the verbal description of the pomp and festivities was
enough to interest me to explore this further. Also, being
a woman myself, knowing that there is a festival dedicated
especially for women was quite enticing and I wanted to
know all about it, so I started out on this journey.
This document is about amalgamation of the women’s
faith, the crafts-men’s gifted flair, the vibrant Bikaner and
the celebration of womanhood.
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Acknowledgment
I sincerely thank Rajkumari Sidhikumariji of Bikaner
Gharana for encouraging me on documenting the craft
of making Gangaur idols and giving me a direction.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude towards Shri.
Girdharlalji Suthar and Shri Sanwarlalji Suthar and also
Suryaprakashji and Chandraprakashji for letting me
take a peek into the craft of making the wooden Gangaur
statuettes/ idols in their prestigious work studio Shri
Ishwardas Art Gallery and answering my questions and
helping me with all the details associated with this craft
and also letting me know about their lives and culture. I
would also like to thank Shri Shiv Swamiji for allowing
me to document the art of painting these beautiful idols
and bringing them to life quite literally.
I would also take this as an opportunity to thank Usha
Suranaji, Ishwarlal Sutharji, Kanhaiyalal Sutharji and
all the other gifted craftsmen associated with this craft.
I would specially thank and express immense gratitude
towards Rajkumarji Khatri, Inderkumarji Khatri and
all the members of his lovely family for making me
feel at home and being the most hospitable family
especially Rahul Khatri for accompanying on the field
and planning the day.
I would also thank Alka and Reena Khatri for serving
me with delicious and sumptous Bikaneri food everyday
during this craft documentation. I would also thank
Monicaji and Raviji for letting me know about all the
traditions associated with the Gangaur festival and also
showing me their beautiful set of Gangaur idols and
their accessories and miniature clothes and I would also
take this as a chance to thank their family for the serving
hot & delicious Kachoris.
I sincerely thank Bhanupratap Singhji and his mother
for telling me how Gangaur is celebrated and also
sharing the story of Gangaur with me.
Also, I would thank my parents and Neel Kadia for
accompanying me on this adventurous journey and
showering their love and unconditional support and
exploring this craft together.
I thank Ms. Carmina Fernandes and Ms. Sonal Chauhan
for being the most supportive and encouraging guides
during the execution of the craft documentation. I
would also thank Mr. Amit Sinha for guiding me in
the research and planning phase of this documentation.
I am also really thankful to NID for keeping Craft
documentation as a part of the curicullum.
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Content
Introduction
• NID
• Crafts of India
Rajasthan
• Bikaner
• History
• Geography
• Climate
• Flora & Fauna
• Economy
• Culture & Lifestyle
• People
• Religion
• Homes
• Food
• Attractions
• Festivals
Gangaur
The Craft
• Craftsmen/ people/ community
• Craftsmen Profiles
• Workspace
• Making the idols
- Tools
- Raw materials
- Wood work Process
- Assembly
- Painting & Finishing Process
• Cultural significance
• Evolution
• Cost
• Distribution
• Opportunities & Difficulties
• Other Crafts of Bikaner
• My Experience
• Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Image caption, Credits & Sources
• Story/ origin
• How is it celebrated?
• Why it is celebrated?
• Significance of the practice
• Beliefs & Rituals
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Introduction
‘Gangaur idols of Bikaner- Celebrating faith, craft, culture & womanhood’ is a fusion of the women’s faith in
Gangaur, another festival which is smaller, yet no less beautiful and is followed with equal spirit in Rajasthan, home
to India’s storied former kingdoms and oldest palaces, and some of its surrounding states. It also celebrates the innate
skills of the craftsmen, mostly a group of men who make the most beautiful statuettes/ idols especially for women.
This document also speaks about the culture and tradition of this festival which is a toast to women who fast for this
fortnight long festival and pray to Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati to bless them with marital bliss. This document
is also about the sacred recognition of women & their spirit. The Introduction section covers about NID and its
relation with Crafts of India.
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NID
National Institute of Design (NID) is one of the foremost
multi-disciplinary institutions in the field of design
education and research and has been internationally
acclaimed for its excellence in Design education.
National Institute of Design was established in 1961 after
the Government of India were presented the India Report
by Charles & Ray Eames. The Indian Government with
the help of the Ford Foundation set up NID and its
been 5 decades since then that NID has made it a point
to lay emphasis on learning and to pursue innovation led
designs through the development of the mind and skills
of designers.
Since NID was established one of its basic aims were to
serve as an aid to the small scale industries. Craft sector
since the post- independence has evolved as on the major
small scale industries which supports a large chunk of the
Indian economy.
NID has included the course of Craft documentation as
an integral part of its education and encourages the to be
designers in learning about the different crafts of India and
has a vast repository of Crafts documented in last 50 years.
Gangaur idols is also one of such crafts of India and
through this document I have tried to shed light on this
craft which will be referred to as a tool of information and
knowledge in the coming years.
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Crafts of India
India is a country that is known for its heritage of
culture and traditions. Crafts is one of these legacies
which have been traveling through time from one
generation of craftsmen to another and the mastery and
inherent gift these craftsmen are blessed with makes
them say, “What else will we do apart from this? All we
have is this craft!”
Every state of India has a treasure of crafts within its
boundaries and has created an archive for India and
there is no other country like India which has such
vivid and unique crafts to call their own.
The crafts of India have been respected with time and
lot of efforts have been put in preserving them but even
then the roots of these crafts, the craftsmen are in a
decline because of multiple factors and hence we at
NID are trying to document all these dying crafts before
they are extinct and also trying to make people aware
of them so that the craftsmen skills get recognition and
respect.
At NID we are really blessed to have a chance to witness
one of such crafts closely and develop the sense of
consciousness towards the crafts and the communities
which practice them and society in general.
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Rajasthan
Rajasthan, also known as the ‘land of kings’ is the largest state of India by area and also home to the Great Indian
Thar desert, located on the north western side of India. Rajasthan earlier known as Rajputana is a land rich in its
culture and heritage. Rajasthan is known for ts artistic and cultural traditions that reflect the legacy of the state.
The state has a distinctness of its own and stands out from the other states for its grandness in everything, be it
art, craft, food, music, history etc. Rajasthan’s divine meenakari work or maybe its delicious dal baati churma, or
maybe its classic ghoomar dance or its padharo mhaare desh, all of these will have its own mark on us. Rajasthan
is like a mother of all the greatest and unique children whose memories and experiences we can always cherish.
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How to Reach
Bikaner is well connceted to other
locations by Rail, Road & Air.
Nearest Airport is
Jodhpur.
Bikaner Junction is
the nearest Railway
station and has trains
well connected to
major cities.
Bikaner is connected
to most of the state
highways and buses
are also available.
Bikaner
Bikaner, the famous dusty yet vibrant city in the
northwest side of Rajasthan, established by Rao Bika is
about 316 kms from the capital city Jaipur, 240 kms
from the blue city Jodhpur and 330 kms from golden
city Jaisalmer. One of the earlier established cities,
Bikaner still exhibits its archaic abundance through
palaces and chateaux, built of red sandstone, that have
withstood the passage of time.
Bikaner was established on Akhatreej also known
as AkshayaTritiya and have been celebrating this
foundation day by flying kites and eating Bikaneri foods
since 526 years. According to Census 2011 information
of Bikaner, the population of this city is 23,67,745,
which is roughly equal to the US State of New Mexico
in the area of 30247.90 sq. kms. Its population growth
rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 41.42%. Bikaner
has a sex ratio of 903 females for every 1000 males and
a literacy rate of 65.92%.
The culture and cuisines of Bikaner are also the source
of attraction for the guests visiting India from far flung
regions. The top attractions in Bikaner include the
Junagarh Fort, Laxmi Niwas Palace, Lalgarh Palace,
and Bhandasar Jain Temple, Rampuria Havelis among
others. The art and architecture also reflect the ethnicity
and intricate detailing that prevailed during the time
of royals of India. The snacks, sweets, handicrafts and
artifacts are also some of the distinguished attributes of
Bikaner.
Bikaner is bounded by Ganganagar to the north,
Hanumangarh to the northeast, Churu to the east,
Nagaur to the southeast, Jodhpur to the south, Jaisalmer
to the southwest, and Punjab Province of Pakistan to
the northwest. Since, Bikaner lies in the Thar Desert,
the Indira Gandhi Canal, also known as the Rajasthan
Canal, runs through Bikaner from northeast to
southwest, providing irrigation water for the district.
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History
The inception of Bikaner can be outlined back to
1488 when a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji, founded
the kingdom. The saga has it that Bikaji, one of Rao
Jodhaji’s five sons, left his father’s Durbar in rage after a
derogatory remark from his father, the eminent founder
of Jodhpur. Bikaji travelled far and when he came upon
the wilderness called Jangladesh, he decided to set up his
own kingdom and transformed it into an extravagant &
beautiful city.
It is said that when he arrived in the now Bikaner area it
was possessed by seven Jat cantons namely Sihag, Dhaka,
Punia, Godara, Sran, Beniwal, Johiya & Kaswan. To carve
out the space for his capital Rao Bika used the mutual
rivalry in between Jat communities. The spot which he
wanted for his capital was the birthright of Nehra Jat
who would only give it away for the purpose if his name
would be linked to the perpetuity with its surrender.
‘Naira’ or ‘Nera’ was the name of the proprietor which
he added to his own and thus formulated the existing
name ‘ Bikaner.’
Located in the Thar Desert, Bikaner was considered an
oasis on the trade route between Central Asia and the
Gujarat coast as it had adequate spring water. Bika’s
name was attached to the city he built and to the state
of Bikaner.
It is said that around a century after Rao Bika, Bikaner
flourished under the sixth descender of the throne Raja
Rai Singhji and also in his presence the Junagrah fort
came into existence, as he was an expert in arts and
architecture and his knowledge is reflected in all the
small details of the Junagarh Fort. He had accepted the
dominion of the Mughals and held a high rank as an
army general at the court of the Emperor Akbar and
his son the Emperor Jahangir. Rai Singh’s successful
military exploits, which involved winning half of
Mewar kingdom for the Empire, won him accolades
iand rewards from the Mughal emperors. He was given
the jagirs of Gujarat and Burhanpur.
Many descendents came and ruled as the Rajas and
another famous Raja Bikaner speaks of is Maharaja
Surat Singhji after whom the princely state of Bikaner
came under the sovereignity of the Britishers. After a
few decades came Maharaja Ganga Singhji who was the
best- known princes of the state and also the favorite
British Viceroys. Ganga Singhji’s grandson Karni
Singhji was the last Raja of Bikaner as after 1971 all the
royal titles were abolished by the Republic of India. Her
grand daughter Siddhikumariji still remains the royal
descendent and is also a famous MLA in Bikaner.
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Geography
Climate
Bikaner is very close to the Great Indian Thar Desert
and is also situated to the north of Jaisalmer. Bikaner
has the geographical location between 27º11’ and 29º3’
North Latitude and 71º54 and 74º12’ East Longitudes.
To the north of Bikaner is Shri-Ganganagar, to the
northeast is Hanumangarh, to the east is Churu, to the
southeast is Nagaur, to the south is Jodhpur, Jaisalmer
in southwest and Pakistan to the west.
Bikaner is spread over an area of 30247 Sq. km and
is divided into 8 tehsils namely Chattargarh, Bikaner,
Khajuwala, Kolayat, Lunkaransar, Nokha, Pooga and
Shridungargarh. Bikaner is situated at an average
altitude of 797 feet. The city of Bikaner lies within the
Western Desert Region of the state of Rajasthan . The
scarcity of water has effected the vegetation of the area.
Similar to other desert areas, mostly cactus and thorny
bushes grow in this region. The soil type of the area is
basically alkaline. Saline soil with calcareous base is also
seen in Bikaner. Some seasonal dwarf trees, few types of
shrubs and grasses also grow here.
Bikaner witnesses extreme temperatures. The summer
season in Bikaner begins with the month of March and
it ends with June. The temperature during this season
ranges between 28°C to 46°C. Hot winds and dust
storms further add to the heat. So, the weather during
this season remains hot and humid. Bikaner receives
average amount of rainfall in the range of 260–440
millimetres (10–17 in) in the monsoon season which
begins from July and lasts till November. The weather
remains humid during this time of the year. During
the winter season, the temperature in Bikaner hovers
around 4°C and 23°C. The weather remains cool and
pleasant from December to February. However, the best
time to visit the place is from October to March when
the weather remains cool and pleasant.
Agriculture in this part of Rajasthan includes few Rabi
and Kharif crops like wheat, mustard, Bajra and pulses.
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Flora & Fauna
The historical city of Bikaner is known all over the
world for its renowned heritage and culture but it also
houses one of the best flora & fauna the world has ever
seen. Bikaner is popularly called as the camel country
because its abundant population of camels, which are
largely found and bred here.
Bikaner boasts the rarest collection of species which
are kept in protection in the Gajner Wildlife sanctuary.
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is situated approximately
32 kilometers from Bikaner in the state of Rajasthan
and one of the most favored tourist destinations for
nature lovers. The sanctuary is home to a large number
of species of wild animals but the unique factor that
drives tourists to this place is that they can watch these
species in their natural element and surroundings. The
experience is quite different from watching wild animals
in a zoo with their movements severely restricted with
cages.
Species such as wild fowls, deer, antelopes, nilgais,
chinkaras, black bucks, desert foxes and wild boars
are some of the common species that can be spotted
in the desert forest. One could also see a large variety
of migratory birds, especially during the winter season.
The most common tree found in the district is Khejra
andother trees are Rohira, Ber, and Jal. Some other trees
found in area are Shisham Ber, Pipal, and Siris etc.
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Economy
Bikaner economy has an adaptablle character that is
dependent on several key external forces. Agriculture
in Bikaner is a primary sector of the economy and
contributes largely to the city’s net revenue. Agriculture
also happens to be a means of subsistence of the
majority of Bikaner’s populace. The economy of Bikaner
district is mainly dependent on agriculture as 61.1
percent workers in the district are either cultivators or
agricultural labourers. Water is a major area of concern
in the dessicated terrains of northwest. The water for
irrigation comes from wells and tanks. The Indira
Gandhi Canal irrigates northwestern Rajasthan.
The local canals account for the city’s irrigation. The
principal crops that are cultivated in Bikaner include
millets, barley and wheat that can survive under harsh
and unfavorable physical conditions.
Almost the entire district is devoid of rock exposures
except near Kolayat and at a few places in the southern
parts of Nokha and Dulmera. The district Bikaner is
thus vast sandy tracks except Kolayat are covered with
sand of Rock locally known as “Magra” are found is
parts Kolayat tehsil. Also, various types of sand stone,
clay and lime stone are found at different levels. Fuller’s
earth viz Mulatani Miti, Clay lignite and gypsum, white
clay, yellow ochre and grit and important economic
minerals being produced in the district. Gypsum beds
up to 30 meters thick and of the best quality available
in India. Simultaneously impure lime stone is excavated
all over the district. Glass sand is found near Madh and
lignite is available at various places in kolayat tehsil and
Palana. Sand stone lime stone, Bajri and grit and Kankar
are the main building materials found in the district.
The small scale industries came into the limelight in the
early eighties and the advances were achieved towards
the end of the eighties. Industries based on agricultural
products, wool, chemicals and ceramics began in this
period. Bikaner is known to be the biggest woolen mart
in India as well as all over Asia. The city has acted as a
centre of trade for the last 185 years. The wool is utilized
for various things like manufacturing high quality
carpets, woolen garments, furnishing items and more.
Most of the weaving work was done by the inmates at
the Bikaner jail and it is still famous for carpet weaving.
Bikaner is world famous for the bhujia and papad. For a
normal Indian, the term bhujia is directly proportional
to Bikaner and one can easily make a connection
between the two. The tasteful Rajasthani food can never
be complete without bhujia, which is a namkeen made
with the strength of arm. You can find plenty of small
and big units making bhujia and papad that generate
employment for thousands of people.
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Culture & Lifestyle
The real cultural wealth of Bikaner lies in its simplicity
and grace. The people of Bikaner believe in one motto
which is ‘सूर्यास्त मधुर मस्त’ (Suryast madhur mast)
which means as the sun sets everyone become pleasant
& delighted. One can see people working hard during
the day but later in the evening you will see people
gathered at the chowks and chitchatting with each other.
The scenario feels slightly intoxicated where people are
in a jovial mood and enjoying each other’s company.
The regions love for color and joyous celebrations
is proved by elaborate rituals and the numerous fairs
and festivals of the region. In addition to the festivals
celebrated by the Hindus, Muslims and the others ,there
are also other traditional fairs.
and tradititions of folk life of Bikaner are reflected in it’s
Rammats. People give free expressions to their feelings
of pleasures and pains in Rammats. Rammat has come
down from early nineteenth century as one of the
most popular forms of entertainments. It has it’s own
narration, style and methods of presentation. Several
Rammats have been standardized as the monopolized
presentation of different mohallas in Bikaner.
People in modern Bikaner region are also known for
their pleasure and contentment. The local language is
Rajasthani. Now, people have also started conversing in
Hindi and English considering the tourism in the area.
“सूर्यास्त मधुर मस्त”
The tradition of folk dance in Bikaner region is very
old. It commenced long before the inception of Rathore
dynasty in Bikaner and flourished as the time passed
culminating in rich and varied styles of popular dances.
The famous dances of ladies are ‘Ghumar’, ‘Saluda’,
‘Bhav’, and ‘Mataki’, while men perform ‘Ger’, ‘Patta’,
‘Tandava’ and ‘Pisach’ dances gaily and gleefully on
different occasions. A community in this town called
“Jasnathis” perform something called the “Fire-Dance”.
As the name implies, they literally dance with fire
accompanied by the thrilling beat of drums. The tastes
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People
The people of Bikaner includes both Hindus &
Muslims and are living in harmony. They respect their
culture and tradition very fiercely. All the people have
great closeness to their festivals and celebrate every
occasion with happiness and content. They are the most
hospitable & gracious hosts to the travellers that come
to this city from around the globe. Bikaner is a land of
vibrant colours and true to this, both men and women
dress in colourful and traditional attire. The older
women are mostly in Ghagra and Choli and their heads
are covered with dupattas and the older men are mostly
in dhoti and kurta and sport a colorful turban on their
heads. The younger generation is seen in casual western
clothes.
Religion
Hinduism is majority religion in Bikaner city with 78.67
% followers. Islam is second most popular religion in
city of Bikaner with approximately 17.27 % following
it. In Bikaner city, Christinity is followed by 0.20 %,
Jainism by 2.97 %, Sikhism by 0.73 % and Buddhism
by 0.73 %. Even with its religious diversity, people live
together in peace and harmony.
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Homes
Bikaner has many famous Havelis in its narrow lanes
which exhibit amazing architecture and heritage of
Bikaner. The most famous one is Rampuria Haveli,
constructed in 15th Century and also titled as the ‘
Pride of Bikaner’ a standing example of antiquity and
grandeur. Many stories state that years ago the region
had Parkota system. The lower and ordinary class of
people used to live outside the Parkota and the Royal
family and the affluent families lived inside of the
Parkotas. But now things seem to be changed and the
modern homes can be seen outside the city.
There are many Mohallas in Bikaner such as Chaukunti
Mohalla , Thantheron Ka Mohalla , Sutharon ka
mohalla , Sonaron ki gavar, Joshiwara , Dagon Ka
Mohalla , Uston ka Mohalla, Kote Gate, etc, The
various communities based on occupations still live
close knit and together in one locality.
Every Mohalla also has it’s uniqueness and there are also
four famous gates in Bikaner like the Kote gate, Jasosar
Gate, Vishwakarma Gate & Goga Gate.
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Food
Bikaneri Food consists of lot of namkeen and variety of
sweets. The staple food also consists of milk products used
to add richness and taste to lot of food items. Kachoris can
be spotted everywhere, right from households to streets,
its like the vadapav of Mumbai, people hog on Kachoris
at any time of the day. Also the Bhujia is produced on a
large scale in Bikaner, similar is the case of Papads. Bikaner
also offers the traditional Dal Bati Churma, Gatte ki sabzi,
Ghevar, Rabdi, Phirni, Khata, Pakodi & Rasmalai. Also
all the food items are covered in Ghee. Also there is the
famous Sohan Halva. Also, if one is near the Junagarh fort,
the Patiala chaat is not worth missing.
The meals are generally served in a Thaal and some families
also share their meals and eat together in one thaal. This is
a practice which builts brotherhood and love among one
other. Also the typical day begins with Kesar Doodh.
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Attractions
Bikaner has a lot to offer tourists. Right from the
history of the Rajputs,, to the Havelis, to the temples,
to the museums and a lot from the bygone era. One
can experience the richness and hospitality everywhere.
The most famous attraction is the Junagarh Fort.
Also the Lalgarh Fort also having another wing
named as the Laxmi Nivas Palace is one of the major
tourist attractions. The famous Karni Mata temple of
Deshnoke, also known as the Rat temple is located
in Bikaner. The Kote gate is one of the most famous
shopping areas of Bikaner. Bikaner is also known for its
large, magnanimous, extravagant Havelis complete with
intricate details of jharokas and carvings, these havelis
are no less than palaces. The Rampuria Haveli is one of
such famous examples which can leave one spellbound
The other places worth visiting in Bikaner are Salasar
temple, Vaishavdham, Chota Kashi, Dharmik Nagri,
Gazer Palace, Laxminathji temple, Bhandaasar Jain
Temple, Shivbaadi mandir & Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary.
Festivals
.A brilliant mosaic of ancient traditions, festivals
in Bikaner bring to fore the enchanting past and
heartwarming legends associated with religious
occasions. The most famous festival in Bikaner is the
Camel Festival which is held every year and is organised
by the Tourism Department of the State. It is dedicated
to the camels that have to survive in the harsh desert
conditions. Since Bikaner is the only camel-breeding
region, the festival is celebrated with a lot of zeal. There
are other smaller festivals such as Karni Mata Fair, Kapil
Muni.
But, the most extravagant of all festivals of this region
is Gangaur. An 18-day festival, Gangaur is celebrated
in the Chaitra month (March) every year. According
to the Hindu calendar, this month starts the New Year
for Hindus. This month also marks the end of winter
season and the beginning of summers.
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Gangaur
Gangaur (गणगौर) is one of the most popular, colourful and important festival for people of Rajasthan and it is
observed throughout the state with great enthusiasm and devotion by womenfolk. The festival is the celebration of
monsoon, harvest and martial fidelity. Women worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva. The word ‘Gangaur’ is
literally made up of two words, ‘Gana’ and ‘Gaur’. ‘Gana’ is synonymous with Lord Shiva and ‘Gaur’ which stands
for Gauri or Parvati symbolizes Saubhagya (marital bliss). Gauri is the personification of excellence and marital
love. Gauri personifies the ideal wife, embodying purity and austerity.
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Story/ Origin
एक बार भगवान शंकर ्तथा प्वया्तीजी नारदजी के साथ भ्रमण
को निकले. चल्ते-चल्ते वे चैत्र शुकल ्तृ्तीया के दिन एक गांव
में पहंच गए. उनके आगमन का समाचार सुनकर गांव की श्ेष्ठ
कु लीन स्त्रियां उनके सव्ग्त के लिए सव्दिष्ट भोजन बनाने लगीं.
भोजन बन््ते-बन््ते उन्हें काफी विलंब ्हो गया. किं्तु साधारण
कु ल की स्त्रियां श्ेष्ठ कु ल की स्त्रियों से प्हले ्ही थालियों में ्हल्दी
्तथा अक्ष्त लेकर पूजन ्हे्तु पहंच गईं. प्वया्तीजी ने उनके पूजा
भाव को सवीकार करके सारा सु्ह्ग रस उन पर छिड़क दिया. वे
अटल सु्ह्ग प््प्ति का वरदान पाकर लौटीं. इसके बाद उचच कु ल
की स्त्रियां अनेक प्कार के पकवान लेकर गौरीजी और शंकरजी
की पूजा करने पहंचीं. सोने-चांददी से निर्मित उनकी थालियों में
विभिनन प्कार के पदार्थ थे. उन स्त्रियों को देखकर भगवान शंकर
ने प्वया्तीजी से क्ह्- '्तुमने सारा सु्ह्ग रस ्तो साधारण कु ल की
स्त्रियों को ्ही दे दिया. अब इन्हें कर् दोगी?'
प्वया्तीजी ने उत्तर दिया- 'प््णनाथ! आप इसकी चिं्त् म्त
कीजिए. उन स्त्रियों को मैंने के वल ऊपरी पद्थथों से बना रस दिया
्है. इसलिए उनका रस धो्ती से र्हेगा. परं्तु मैं इन उचच कु ल की
स्त्रियों को अपनी उंगली चीरकर अपने रक्त का सु्ह्ग रस दंगी.
र्ह सु्ह्ग रस जिसके भागर में पड़ेगा, व्ह ्तन-मन से मुझ जैसी
सौभागरव्ती ्हो जाएगी.' जब स्त्रियों ने पूजन समाप्त कर दिया,
्तब प्वया्तीजी ने अपनी उंगली चीरकर उन पर छिड़क ददी. जिस
पर जैसा छींटा पड़ा, उसने वैसा ्ही सु्ह्ग पा लिया. इसके बाद
भगवान शिव की आज्् से प्वया्तीजी ने नददी ्तट पर सन्न किया
और बालू की शिव-मूर्ति बनाकर पूजन करने लगीं. पूजन के बाद
बालू के पकवान बनाकर शिवजी को भोग लगाया.
प्दक्षिणा करके नददी ्तट की मिट्टी से माथे पर न्तलक लगाकर
दो कण बालू का भोग लगाया. इ्तना सब कर्ते-कर्ते प्वया्ती को
काफी समय लग गया. काफी देर बाद जब वे लौटकर आईं ्तो
म्ह्देवजी ने उनसे देर से आने का कारण पूछा. उत्तर में प्वया्तीजी
ने झूठ ्ही क्ह दिया कि व्ह्ं मेरे मायके वाले मिल गए थे. उन्हीं
से ब््तें करने में देर ्हो गई. परं्तु म्ह्देव ्तो म्ह्देव ्ही थे. वे कु छ
और ्ही लीला रचना च््ह्ते थे. अ्तः उन्होंने पूछा- 'प्वया्ती! ्तुमने
नददी के ्तट पर पूजन करके किस चीज का भोग लगाया था और
सवरं कौन-सा प्साद खाया था?'
सव्मी! प्वया्तीजी ने पुनः झूठ बोल दिया- 'मेरी भाभी ने मुझे
दध-भ््त खिलाया. उसे खाकर मैं सीधी र्ह्ं चली आ र्ही हं.'
र्ह सुनकर शिवजी भी दध-भ््त खाने की लालच में नददी-्तट की
ओर चल दिए. प्वया्ती दुविधा में पड़ गईं. ्तब उन्होंने मौन भाव
से भगवान भोले शंकर का ्ही धर्न किया और प््थयाना की - ्हे
भगवन! यदि मैं आपकी अननर दासी हं ्तो आप इस समय मेरी
लाज रखिए. र्ह प््थयाना कर्ती हई प्वया्तीजी भगवान शिव के
पीछे-पीछे चल्ती र्हीं. उन्हें दर नददी के ्तट पर माया का म्हल
दिखाई दिया. उस म्हल के भी्तर पहंचकर वे देख्ती ्हैं कि व्ह्ं
शिवजी के साले ्तथा सल्हज आदि सपरिवार उपस्थित ्हैं. उन्होंने
गौरी ्तथा शंकर का भाव-भीना सव्ग्त किया. वे दो दिनों ्तक व्ह्ं
र्हे.
्तीसरे दिन प्वया्तीजी ने शिव से चलने के लिए क्ह्, पर शिवजी
्तैयार न हए. वे अभी और रुकना च््ह्ते थे. ्तब प्वया्तीजी रूठकर
अके ली ्ही चल दीं. ऐसी ्ह्ल्त में भगवान शिवजी को प्वया्ती के
साथ चलना पड़ा. नारदजी भी साथ-साथ चल दिए. चल्ते-चल्ते
वे बहुत दर निकल आए. उस समय भगवान सूर्य अपने धाम
(पभचिम) को पधार र्हे थे. अचानक भगवान शंकर प्वया्तीजी से
बोले- 'मैं ्तुम्हारे मायके में अपनी माला भूल आया हं.'
'ठीक ्है, मैं ले आ्ती हं.' - प्वया्तीजी ने क्ह् और जाने को ्ततपर
्हो गईं. परं्तु भगवान ने उन्हें जाने की आज्् न ददी और इस कार्य
के लिए ब्रह्मपुत्र नारदजी को भेज दिया. परं्तु व्ह्ं पहंचने पर
नारदजी को कोई म्हल नजर न आया. व्ह्ं ्तो दर ्तक जंगल ्ही
जंगल था, जिसमें क्हंसक पशु विचर र्हे थेण्‍ नारदजी व्ह्ं भटकने
लगे और सोचने लगे कि क्हीं वे किसी गल्त सथ्न पर ्तो न्हीं आ
गए? मगर स्हसा ्ही बिजली चमकी और नारदजी को शिवजी की
माला एक पेड़ पर टंगी हई दिखाई ददी. नारदजी ने माला उ्त्र ली
और शिवजी के पास पहंचकर व्ह्ं का ्ह्ल ब्त्र्.
शिवजी ने ्हंसकर क्ह्- 'नारद! र्ह सब प्वया्ती की ्ही लीला
्है.' इस पर प्वया्ती बोलीं- 'मैं किस योगर हं.' ्तब नारदजी ने सिर
झुकाकर क्ह्- 'म््त्! आप पन्तव्र्त्ओं में सर्वश्ेष्ठ ्हैं. आप सौ-
भागरव्ती समाज में आदिशक्ति ्हैं. र्ह सब आपके पन्तव्र्त का ्ही
प्भाव ्है. संसार की स्त्रियां आपके नाम-समरण मात्र से ्ही अटल
सौभागर प््््त कर सक्ती ्हैं और समस्त लसजधियों को बना ्तथा
मिटा सक्ती ्हैं. ्तब आपके लिए र्ह कर्म कौन-सी बड़ी ब््त ्है?'
म्ह्माये! गोपनीय पूजन अधिक शक्तिशाली ्तथा सार्थक ्हो्त् ्है.
आपकी भावना ्तथा चमतक्रपूर्ण शक्ति को देखकर मुझे बहुत
प्सन्नता हई ्है. मैं आशीर्वाद रूप में क्ह्त् हूँ कि जो स्त्रियां इसी
्तर्ह गुप्त रूप से पन्त का पूजन करके मंगलकामना करेंगी, उन्हें
म्ह्देवजी की कृ पा से ददीर्घायु वाले पन्त का संसर्ग मिलेगा.
44 45

Story/ Origin
Once Lord Shankar and Parvatiji came out to tour
with Narada. On the way, they reached a village on the
day of Chaitra Shukla Tritiya. Upon hearing the news
of their arrival, the village’s elite elite women started
making delicious food for their reception. Preparing
the food took a lot more time then expected however
the women of the lower class reached to offer prayers
before the women of the highest could. By accepting
their worship, Parvatiji sprayed all the juice of marital
bliss on them. They returned after receiving the boon
of achieving marital bliss and happiness forever. After
this, the women of the upper class came to worship
Gauriji and Shankarji. Made of gold and silver, there
were various types of substances in their trays.
Seeing those women, Lord Shankar said to Parvatiji:
‘You gave all the juice of marital bliss only to the women
of the ordinary family. Now what will they give these
women? Parvatiji replied - ‘Dear husband! You do not
worry about it. I have only given those women the juice
made from superficial material. But I will give my blood
to the women of these high castes. This happiness,
which will fall in their fate, will be very fortunate like
me. When the women finished worship, Parvati jerked
her finger and sprinkled on them. According to the
drop of blood which fell on these women, similar is the
amount of marital bliss showered on them.
After this, Lord Shiva, according to the order, Parvati
bathed on the river and started worshiping the sand
idol of Lord Shiva. After worship, she made a dish of
sand and offer Shivji. After finishing the tilak on the
forehead with the soil of the river bank, she offered the
two grains of sand to the idol she had made. Parvatiji
while doing all this, took a lot of time. After a while,
when she returned, Mahadevji asked her the reason for
her delayed arrival.
In her reply, Parvatiji lied that her maternal family had
got there and she got late because she was talking to
them. But Lord Shiv knew that Parvatiji was making
up a story and he wanted to have some more fun on
this so he enquired again, “Parvati! What did you enjoy
by worshiping on the bank of river and what all did
you eat? “Husband! Parvatiji lied again- ‘My sisterin-law
fed me milk and rice. After eating it I directly
came here‘ Upon hearing this, Shivji insisted on going
towards river bank in the greed of eating milk and rice.
Parvati was in a dilemma. Then he quietly meditated
to the Lord and prayed - Lord! If I’m your exclusive
one, then keep me away from embarrassment . While
praying, Parvati ji kept praying to Lord Shiva in her
mind. They saw magical palace on the banks of the river.
After reaching inside the palace, they see that there is
presence of Shivji’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law. He
welcomed Gauri and Shankar. They stayed there for two
days.On the third day, Parvatiji asked Shivji if they could
leave, but Shiva was not ready. He wanted to stay but
hearing this Parvatiji became furiou and walked alone
and walked alone but Lord Shiva had to give in and
accompanied Parvatiji. Naradji also walked together.
The Sun was setting and suddenly Lord Shankar said to
Parvatiji - ‘I have forgotten my garland in your maternal
house.’ ’Okay, I will get it.’ - Parvatiji said and went
ahead to take it. But Shivji commanded that she will not
go and sent Brahmaputra Narada instead for this work.
But when there, Narada did not see any palace. But he
saw a forest, in which the violent animals were roaming
around, Naradaji started wandering there and started
thinking that he had not come to any wrong place.
But out of nowhere the lightning struck and Naradaji
saw Shivji’s garland hanging on a tree. Naradaji took
the garland and reached Shivji and explained him the
incident. Shivaji laughed and said- “Narada! This is
Parvati’s magic.” Parvati was shocked and she questioned
“Am I worthy?”. Then Naradji bowed his head and
said, “Mother! You are the power in universe . You are
the superpower for this society. All this is the effect of
your dedication towards your husband. The women of
the world can only attain good fortune by taking your
name and confidential worship is more powerful and
meaningful. I am very happy to see your feeling and
miraculous power. As a blessing, I say that women who
will secretly pray for their husbands secretly, they will
get a long life for thier husband by Mahadevji’s grace.
47

How is it celebrated?
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshiped in this
festival of Gangaur. This festival is specifically meant
for women folks. The unmarried women worship Gauri
for blessing them with good husband, while married
women do so for the welfare, health and longevity of
their husbands and cheerful married life. According to
legend, these are the days on which Gauri goes back
to her parents home for a few days, until her husband
comes to collect her and take her back to their marital
home.
The departure is marked with colourfully bedecked
processions trooping through the streets to the sound
of drums. Each city puts its own spin on it, with women
lining up on the shores of Lakes in their finest clothes to
set off fireworks and as a boat procession moves down
the water. In some places the women sing as they carry
water and grass in brass pots. also some places there is
a winding procession that moves through the city with
elephants, horses, folk artists, palanquins and chariots
in tow. The festival begins with wooden idols of the
godly couple being installed and decorated in every
home. Wheat grains are sown in small earthen pots, the
grass from which is later used in the rituals.
unmarried women also restrict themselves to one meal
a day in the hope of finding a good match. On the
second day, known as Sinjara presents arrive from the
daughter-in-law’s parents ranging from sweets to clothes
and jewellery.
Women and girls observe fast during this festive time
and eat only once in a day. Idols of Gauri and Isar
(Lord Shiva) are made with the wood and decorated
very beautifully. On the other hand, in some of the
Rajput families, images are made of clay on the walls
every year before the festival they are painted by the
famous painters who are called as ‘Matherans’. Women
and girls, during the festival, wear new dresses, adorn
themselves with jewellery and make designs on their
palms and feet by applying mehandi (henna). On the
7th day evening girls carry ‘ghudilas’, which are pots
with many holes inside which a lamp is lit, on their
heads. They sing songs of Gangaur and are given gifts
in the form of money, ghee, sweets, jaggery, etc. by the
elders of the family as a token of love.
While newly married women fast for the entire 18 days
for the health of their husbands and their marriage,
48 49

Why is it celebrated?
The unmarried women worship Gauriji for being
blessed with a good husband, while married women do
so for the welfare, health and long life of their husbands
and for a happy married life. But mainly, this festival is
held in the honour of Goddess Parvati as she is regarded
as the epitome of marital love, strength, courage, power
and excellence. Gangaur is the biggest celebration of
faith and family harmony in Rajasthan. In this festival
of Gana (Shiva) and Gaur (Parvati), the unmarried
girls wish to get the desired husbands. Married women
wish for longevity of their husband by worshiping
and fasting from Chaitra Shukla Tritiya.The festival is
rejoiced in the month of Chaitra, the first month of
the Hindu calendar and falls in between March and
April, according to Gregorian calendar. It begins on the
very first day Chaitra month, the day after Holi and is
celebrated for 18 days. Also, it marks the end of winter
season and the coming of spring season. Folk songs sung
in the worship of Gangaur are the soul of this unique
festival. This festival is worshiped through the songs of
Gauriji’s and Isar’s elder sister and brother-in-law, and
after those songs, they are named after their families.
In many states of Rajasthan, Gangaur Poojan is also
popular as a necessary marriage ceremony. In Gangaur
Pooja, the girls and women insist on their good fortune,
prosperity of their peers and in-laws and every year from
Gangaur to come again.
50 51

Significance of the practice
According to Hindu scriptures, Goddess Gauri is the
embodiment of austere penance and with her deep
devotion she won Lord Shiva as her consort. She took
birth on earth in the form of King Daksha’s Daughter
Sati. Bewitched with the charm of Lord Shiva as a
maiden, she started meditating to beget Lord Shiva in
the form of her husband. Immensely pleased by her
penance, Lord Shiva appeared before her. According to
some legends, Goddess Sati got married to Lord Shiva
on the auspicious day of the Tritiya of Shukla Paksha.
Even in her second birth as Parvati, she observed an
even tougher penance, renouncing all material comforts
that came to her as a princess and headed to the forest
to meditate like a sage. She meditated for years, not
consuming a single grain of food or water. She braved
storms, rains, and droughts to finally attain Lord Shiva
as her consort. Hence, Gangaur is celebrated by married
women for the welfare and long life of their husbands
and a happy marital life and also by unmarried women
who wish to seek a compatible husband. is celebrated
on the third day of the Shukla Paksha or the waxing
phase of the moon in the Chaitra Month, marking
the annunciation of the Gangaur festival. The day is
dedicated to the worship of Goddess Gauri or Parvati
(an avatar of Goddess Shakti). The divine couple of Lord
Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshiped by a number
of devotees on this auspicious day.
52 53

Beliefs & Rituals
During 18-day long celebration of Gangaur, women
from every parts of Rajasthan keep fast, worship the
wooden idols of goddess Parvati and follow other
rituals. Their core belief lies in the fact that- due to
goddess Parvati’s blessings upon them, they will also
enjoy a life full of marital bliss and their husbands will
remain hale and hearty forever. In this respect, Gangaur
has similarities with other such festivals of India- like
Karwa Chauth in North India and Savitri Puja in
southern parts of the country, where women perform
puja and fasting for the longevity of their husbands.
It is believed that centuries ago , Gangaur festival used
to resemble a ground of swayamvar or a place where
people from opposite sexes could mingle with each
other and ultimately select the life-partners of their
likes.
Ghewar is one of the symbols that could be associated
with the festival of Gangaur. During the period of
celebration, ghewar is being made in every household
that is taking part in the puja and then offered to goddess
Parvati. In Hindu mythology, during the month of
Chaitra, goddess Parvati used to visit her parental home
from Kailash. As a mark of respect and adoration to
Parvati, her female friends made various sweet dishes
including ghewar- upon her stay. Right now, women
folk of the household prepare ghewar with much care,
go near a well as a part of the ritual, offer the sweet dish
as a Prasad to goddess Parvati, and then distribute it
among family members. They spend their days gathered
together singing & dancing on traditional songs to
keep their minds off their empty stomach. Women also
perform puja with Wheat grass/ jawara in the pots.
Unmarried girls begin the worship of Gangaur by
smearing some cowdung paste on the floor and making
pictures with white sand. Upto the 7th day of Gangaur
they make a picture of Gauri, Isar and their child on this
floor and they collect the sand in their ghulidas. They
collect small presents of cash, sweets, jaggery, ghee, oil
etc. this continues for 10 days i.e. up to the conclusion
of the Gangaur festival when the girls break their pots
and throw the debris into the well or a tank and enjoys a
feast with the collection made. The ladies decorate their
hands and feet by drawing designs with Mehndi.
The festival reaches its climax during the last three days.
The images of Gauri and Isar are dressed in new garments
especially made for the occasion. At an auspicious hour
in the afternoon, a procession is taken out to a garden,
bawdi or johad or well with the images of Isar and Gauri,
placed on the heads of married women. Songs are sung
about the departure of Gauri to her husband’s house.
54 55

The Craft
Traditionally the women performing the Gangaur puja used to bring clay from the Holika dehen and use it to create
the idols for Gauri, Isar & Bahiya. But now, wooden idols have replaced the clay idols in most of the homes and these
idols are the ones which women now use to pray during Gangaur. The set is like a customised one made especially for
these women and they can dress and decorate it in a way they like and the Gauri doll actually resembles the owner and
the Isarji is her imagination of her ideal husband and life partner. The wooden idols in Bikaner are made by the Suthar
community and painted by the Matheran community. There are various styles of idols, in various sizes and the price
range defers accordingly. The unique feature of this craft is that the end user of the product is the women but strangely
no woman is actually involved in the making. It is mostly the men who craft these idols out of wood and very rarely
one can spot a female in the making process.
56
57

Craftsmen/ People/
Community
The two communities involved in this craft are the Suthar
and the Matheran community. The Suthar or Sutar is
a Hindu caste within the Vishwakarma community of
India. Their traditional occupation is that of carpentry.
Vishwakarma is personification of creation and the
abstract form of the creator God according to the
Rigveda. He is the presiding deity of all Vishwakarma
caste, engineers, artisans and architects. He is believed
to be the “Principal Architect of the Universe” and
the root concept of the later Upanishadic figures of
Brahman and Purusha.
The Suthars have been making the Gangaur idols from
decades now and the Matheran Painters have been
painting these idols since then. The entire community
of Suthars are traditional involved in wood carving and
these skills have been passed down from one generation
to another. They reside in the Sutharon ka Mohalla and
Matheran Chowk .
58
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Craftsmen Profiles
1. Shri. Girdharlalji Suthar - Girdharlalji has been
working with wood since 30 to 35 years now and he
learnt this craftsmanship from his Grandfather, Late.
Shri Ishwardasji Suthar. He has studied in school till
his 9th Grade and then left the school to pursue his
career as wood worker. He has a younger brother who is
also trained in this area and makes the Gangaur idols as
well. They run a workshop/ gallery/ studio named Shri
Ishwardas Art Gallery inside the Vishwakarma gate in
Bikaner. His elder son Suraj is involved in the business
but younger son Chandra is studying and particippates
only when he has the time.
2. Shri. Sanwarlalji Suthar- Sanwarlalji is Girdharlalji’s
younger sibling and has been working as a wood
crafter since 10 to 15 years now and was trained by his
elder brother. He has also studied till his 10th grade.
Sanwarlalji also showed me the process of making the
Gangaur idols and his skills were really extraordinary
and the way he handled the material spoke about his
love for his work. He also works within the workshop/
gallery/ studio named Shri Ishwardas Art Gallery inside
the Vishwakarma gate in Bikaner. They start making the
Gangaur idols after October and only make them based
on orders now. Initially they did make idols in larger
numbers but now they have alternate ways to run their
business and only during the Gangaur season they craft
these idols. This year they were making 20-25 idols
which were orders placed in advance.
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Craftsmen Profiles
3. Surajprakash Suthar - Suraj is working with wood
craft since a few years now after he finished his 12th
Grade. Although he wants to take this forward and
not spend his time and energy on hand work and so he
specializes in CNC machining and has a CNC installed
in the studio as well and he makes wall/ door panels in
wood using this technique.
4. Chandraprakash Suthar- Chandra is pursuing his
B.A and is in the first year of his degree and wants to
focus on his studies and he just spends his leisure time
in the workshop but his interest area is elsewhere.
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Craftsmen Profiles
5. Shri. Shiv Swami- Shiv Swamiji has studied MFA
from the Rajasthan School of Art in Jaipur and he is the
painter who gives life to Sanwarlalji Suthar’s Gangaur
idols by painting it so beautifully that you can literally
feel that the doll can come to life at any moment.
He says that his interest towards art has been since
school days as he was blessed to have the guidance of
a wonderful art teacher and also he took this up as a
career choice and finished his education and in 2004
he joined Mahivir Swamiji, a very famous Miniature
painting artist and also dwelged into miniature painting
art of Bikaner. Sanwarlalji is his friend ans so he paints
the Gangaur idols he makes during Gangaur season.
Also, he conducts art classes regulary for children and
also goes to some schools to teach art.
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Craftsmen Profiles
6. Usha Surana - Ushaji paints the Gangaur idols at
her mother’s workshop in Matherna chowk and helps
her brother in his business. She has been painting the
idols since she was 13 years old and she enjoys painting
them. She is a housewife otherwise but in afternoons,
during the season time, she likes to spend her time at
the workshop.
7. Kanhiyalalji Suthar- Kanhiyalalji Suthar is a
craftsmen who dedicatedly works on making Gangaur
idols all through the year and has been doing so since
past 15 years. He is one of the few craftsmen who makes
the wooden doll and also paints them.
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Workspace
The master craftsman I worked with was Sanwarlalji
Suthar and his workspace was the Ishwardas Art Gallery
at Vishwakarma gate in Bikaner. Also another master
painter, Shiv Swamiji had his own unique space of
working. Major difference in the two spaces was that
Sanwarlalji’s studio was a space where he would sit
with his work object with all the things he would need
kept at an arm’s distance and his space was near the
window where he would observe the passersby and
viceversa and they even stopped by at times. But the
workspace had natural light coming in and did not
need artificial lighting in the day atleast and Sanwarlalji
did all the intricate work sitting in one place. Whereas
Shiv Swamiji’s workspace was quiet, damp and also did
not have a window. The dampness could be because
the studio was not whitewashed or pakka. It had the
raw feel to it and also would add as an advantage as
the dampness would let the paints stay longer without
drying out and the quietness would help him work
without any distractions. Even Shiv Swamiji’s tools
were not very far from him.
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Making the idols
The idols take up to 10-15 days to be made completely
ready for delivery. Sanwarlalji Suthar showed me the
process of carving the idols in wood and Shiv Swamiji
showed me the painting process of these Gangaur idols.
Wood Carving Tools
The wood carving of the idols majorly use different
types of Chisels and Gouges and a strong mallet and
using the Chisel in one hand with the mallet in another
hand is the way the craftsman carved the idol. There are
additional tools such as vice, rough files and sandpapers
used apart from the chisels, gouges and mallets.
Batlari- Fish Tail Chisel
Navla - Straight Gouge Chisel
Reti - Rough File
Seeli - Grind stone
Thaapi - Mallet
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Shaar Kabani- Hand held drill
Patassi- Straignt Chisel
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Painting Tools
The painting of the idols is a 4-5 day long process
where in Shiv Swamiji uses different kinds of brushes
Flat and Round and sandpapers. There is also a rough
cotton cloth used to wipe the brushes and also a plastic
pallette to put some oil paint for shading and also a
spare container for poring water for sanding.
Brushes
Kapda- Cloth
Pallette
Rejmar- Sandpaper
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Raw Materials
Wood work
The materials used in the word carving was just the
block of wood which is called as Sagwan Wood which is
also known as Teak wood.
Painting work
The materials used in Painting were Primer, Putty,
White enamel & oil paints
Sagwan ka lakda- Teak Wood
Khadia mitti+Kolet ki mitti+Safed mitti - Putty
Enamel paint
Golden Paint
Red enamel paint, Black enamel paint, White paint
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Wood work Process
Making the body of the Gangaur Idol
Sagwan wood block is cut into a smaller block and then Sanwarlalji demonstrated the further process of transforming
a wooden block into a beautiful wooden idol. The process of carving takes about 5-6 days.
Step 1: The work area is marked on the block using a
Step 2: Tracing the ferma / stencil of the side profile of
Step 3: Cutting the side profile on the wooden plank
Step 4: Tracing the ferma / stencil of the front profile of
ball point pen
the idol over the wooden block
using a jigsaw cutter.
the idol over the already cut side profile wooden block.
Step 5: Carving the chest and the other frontal details
Step 6: Carving the shape of the face using the Navla
Step 7 : Drawing the facial features using a ball point
Step 8: Carving the basic facial features using the Batlari
of the body using the Patassi.
pen.
& Thaapi.
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Step 9: Carving out the basic shape for the eye using
Step 10: Sharpening the nose area with the Batlari &
Step 11: Removing the uneveness of the wood by
Step 12: Further the same process is repeated until the
Batlari & Thaapi.
Thaapi.
using Patassi.
basic structure of the face is carved out.
Step 13: Drawing the shape of the eye & eyelids on the
Step 14: Carving the shape of the eyes using the Navla.
Step 15 : Drawing the other side of the eye after one eye
Step 16 : Sharpening all the basic facial features and
circular area defined for the eyes
is carved out.
body including feet is done using the Navla, Btlaari,
Patassi & Thaapi to achieve the elegance and gracefulness
and then finsihing done using Reti & Rejmar.
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Making the hands of the Gangaur Idol
A small cube is cut out in Sagwan wood and then the ferma of the hand is used to trace the side and front profile of
the left and right hands. Then the jigsaw cutter is used to cut out the basic shape of the hand and then carving of the
hands is done. Each set of hands take around two hours to be carved from scratch to finish.
Step 1 : Carving out each of the fingers using Navla
Step 2 : Detailing done for each finger
Step 3 : Sharpening the hand using Reti.
Step 4 : Finishing of the hands done using Rejmar.
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Making the arms & hair of the Gangaur Idol
Sagwan wood block is cut into a smaller block and
then the ferma of the arms is traced onto the block and
then it is cut using the jigsaw cutter. After the form is
achieved then carving is done using the patassi, navla,
batlari & thaapi. The arms are then finished using the
Reti & Rejmar just like other parts.
Sagwan wood block is cut and the front and side ferma
of the braid is traced onto the block and then the outer
shape is cut using the jigsaw cutter. After that each
section of the braid is carved using the patassi, navla,
batlari & thaapi. The hairstyle is then finished using the
Reti & Rejmar just like other parts.
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Assembly
Fixing the arms & hair onto the body of the Gangaur Idol
Step 1: Chiping off the extra and uneven portions around
Step 2 :Cleaning the areas around the neck and nape
Step 3 :Finishing using the Reti.
Step 4 :Drilling a hole into the centre portion of the
the shoulder to get a clean and even surface using Patassi.
area using Patassi.
shoulder using Shaar Kabani.
Step 4 :Attaching the arms to the body using a screw.
Step 5 :Fixing the Hair to the head using a screw.
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Painting & Finishing Process
The process was divided into five major segments which included Primer, Putty, Sanding, Painting and Lacquering. Shiv
Swamiji demonstrated the method of Painting & Finishing while giving life to a beautiful doll.
Step 1: Applying Primer and allowing it to dry for 12
Step 2: After it dries applying the layer of putty
Step 3: The Rejmar to be soaked in water for sometime
Step 4: Sanding the idol using the wet Rejmar till it is
hours.
prepared earlier.
smooth and shiny.
Step 5: Preparing the oil paint according to the number
Step 6: Painting the doll after it dries off completely
of dolls to be pain
applying varnish with brush.
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Cultural Significance
Gangaur is celeberated all over India by the Rajasthani
/Marwadi people. But the cultural relevance this
festival has in Rajasthan is completely different. In
Urban cities, the festival is celebrated in four walls of
the home by women and for them the idol does not
have much significance. There are many homes in other
parts of India who would offer the prayers to the photo
of Shivji & Parvati as they do not have the time and
place for organising the puja in their homes. So, for
Bikaner and its people or for the people anywhere in
Rajasthan this festival is not just a mandate, they enjoy
the festivities and they find pleasure in decorating the
idols and doing the puja. Gangaur is a celebration of
the faith of the women for believing that by performing
the puja, their married life will be filled with happiness
and bliss. Gangaur’s significance is really high for the
craftsman who depends on this season of the year for
his livelihood and income. In Rajasthan, the cultural
significance of this festival is much more than it comes
across. It is a festival that celebrates the power of a
woman and its a festival dedicated to women in this
patriarchal society. The best part of it is that it takes a
man or maybe multiple craftsmen to create something
that will mean everything for a woman during Gangaur
and through he lifetime till she retains the idol with her.
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Evolution
The craft of making the Gangaur idols has evolved
tremendously over the span of time. Earlier, the women
used to get clay from the ashes of the Holika Dehen &
make the idols out of it each year. After the span of 18
days they used to immerse these idols in the well/ lake.
Again, for the next Gangaur they would repeat the same
process again. Now, as the new generation has come
into the picture, it has given rise to the whole new craft
which has been written about in this document. With
the evolution of time, there was a need for this craft of
making wooden idols to be evolved because women did
not have that much patience and time to create new dolls
each year and they also wanted something new, which
would be more realistic and customized according to
their requirement, with which they could be creative
while decorating and enjoy the festival more. Also, with
these wooden idols the water pollution has reduced and
now people have started reusing everything right from
the clothes to the accessories and are not minding it. The
craftsmen have also evolved with time. The craftsmen
who would be otherwise making 100-150 dolls per year
are now only making dolls as per the orders they receive
in advance before the festival commences. They have
other sources of income and they do not focus as much
as they used to earlier. But there are a few craftsmen
who even with great difficulty of sustaining themselves
are still making the idols through the year.
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Cost
The cost of the idol ranges from Rs. 300/- to Rs.
15000/- depending on a craftsmen to another. The cost
is highly dependent on the size, amount of detailing
and also the market. Sanwarlalji makes the idols only
based on orders while lot of other craftsmen make the
idols in bulk and start selling them in the market during
the season.
Distribution
The distribution and sales of these idols is also again
dependent on the craftsmen. Lot of craftsmen display
the idols outside the workshop in Matherna Chowk
while lot of them also sell them near the main markets.
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Opportunities
Since the craft has already started becoming commercial
and holds sentimental value in the heart of the owner,
the markets can be expanded. These idols can be used
as dolls in the other parts of the country by young
girls and they can customize it according to their
likes. Although it has a religious value to them, but
they become an idol in the owner’s eyes only when the
Pranpratishtha is done. These dolls can actually replace
the Barbie trend and become the very own Indian
dolls made by the craftsmen of Rajasthan. Also if the
size of the doll is reduced then it will be very handy
to transport and package. According to the craftsmen,
the new generation is not much interested in making
these hand crafted items and are more keen on using
the technology in wood working. So, expanding the
markets will also encourage the newer generation to
step in and hence help in keeping this craft alive.
Difficulties
The difficulties in the craftsman’s share is more as he
gets only one chance to sell his craft and make money
because each year only during Gangaur these idols have
a value. So, the craftsman whose only product are these
idols suffers a great loss in the other span of the year.
This is a major setback for many craftsman whose craft
is dependent on the festival. Also, due to this reason
new craftsmen do not want to be a part of it. They are
finding other ways to run their family.
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Usta Kaam
Meghwal Emboidery
Bhitti Chitra
Other crafts of Bikaner
Since Bikaner is located on a strategic road route of
travelling to Central Asia it was the ideal spot for lot of
travellers to stop by the early years of its foundation and
hence Bikaner is a confluence of Crafts and with time
they have expanded. The other crafts of Bikaner apart
from Gangaur craft are Usta kaam, Meghwal Embroidery,
Bhitti Chitra, Miniature Painting, Sandalwood carving,
Silverware, Meenakari & Kundan jewellery.
Miniature Painting Silverware Meenakari
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My Experience
As I mentioned at the beginning of this document,
there was a calling which invited me to the Country of
Camels, Bikaner. I was totally mesmerized by the kind
people I met and staying with the Khatri family was a
pleasure and their hospitality actually swept me off my
feet. Also Craft documentation in itself was altogether a
very different experience as it taught me so much about
life, respecting the resources, staying grounded and also
lessons like fighting the odds, giving in all that you
have to create the best piece of art and also the passion
in keeping the craft alive. Bikaner will always remain
close to my heart as I met many new people and they
will always be embedded in my memories. Bikaner as a
whole is a city which celebrates love, faith and passion
towards the smallest thing they do. I would be eager to
go and explore many other crafts like these in the years
to come and document them and preserve them in my
memories forever.
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Conclusion
The Craft Documentation of Gangaur idols of Bikaner
was a very enriching experience for me as I was always
very curious to know about the significance of the
festival and that brought me closer to this craft. The
course gave me an opportunity to experience the life of
Bikaner, the relevance of the craft, the craft setting and
also gave me a visual treat of watching how the talent
craftsmen transformed a wooden block to a beautiful
and elegant idol. It enhanced my understanding of
communities, their lifestyle, culture, traditions, and the
environment they live in.
We can say that Gangaur is of value to Rajasthan and
very few parts of India and experiencing these places
during Gangaur can have an enthralling effect on a
person. I end this journey of Craft documentation with
one thought, “It’s easy to think that craft can’t change
but important to remember that all craft process was at
some point new, at some point challenged convention -
not to be contrary, but enabled by some breakthrough,
some newly discovered principle, or sometimes some
wonderful accident.”
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