Gauri Puja 2026: A Guide To Avahana, Worship Rituals And Visarjan Traditions

Gauri Pujan, a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati), is a celebration of three days that occurs during the Bhadrapada month. This festival is primarily observed by the Marathi community and is synonymous with Jyeshta Gauri Puja. The purpose of Gauri Pujan is to seek blessings for family prosperity and marital bliss.

The celebration begins on the third day of Ganesh Chaturthi, when the idol of Goddess Gauri is welcomed into the home with a ceremony known as Gauri Avahana. On this day, the goddess is adorned with a new saree and traditional jewelry, symbolizing the arrival of happiness and prosperity. In Maharashtra, the arrival of Goddess Gauri holds a special significance, marking the beginning of a blessed and prosperous year.

On the second day of the festival, the goddess is worshipped by devotees, particularly married women. This day is known as Gauri Pujan, and it is a time for women to pray for the well-being of their families and husbands. The Visarjan, or immersion, of the goddess takes place on the third day, marking the journey of the goddess back to her abode. This year, Visarjan is scheduled for Saturday, September 19.

The Visarjan rituals involve families bidding farewell to the clay idols of Goddess Gauri, which are adorned with flowers, sarees, and other embellishments. Before the immersion, worshippers perform aarti and offer naivedya, a feast consisting of puran poli, sweets, fruits, and coconut. The focus of the prayers is on the husband's long life and prosperity, as well as the overall welfare of the family.