Songs of faith and struggle in Nepal’s Far-West
Summary
Gaura Parva is a distinctive festival from Nepal's far-western region led primarily by women, celebrating the divine marriage of Goddess Gaura (Parvati) and Lord Shiva through devotional fasting, songs, and community rituals reflecting cultural identity and continuity.
Key Points
- Gaura Parva is a unique festival in Nepal’s far-western region centered on the worship of Goddess Gaura (Parvati) and Lord Shiva, led mainly by women.
- The festival involves a series of rituals including purification, fasting, preparation of grains (Biruda), singing deuda songs, and carrying idols, occurring over several days in August-September.
- Gaura Parva symbolizes cultural continuity, marital bonds, and community participation, with songs reflecting mythology, history, and social struggle.
- The festival originally rooted in a few districts is now celebrated more widely across Nepal, maintaining far-western cultural identity and traditions.
