Gauri Tapo Vrat 2023 Date, Time, Rituals & Significance
In Hinduism, young females and unmarried women observe Gauri Tapo Vrat, also known as Gauri Vrat. This ritual is observed during the month of ‘Ashadha’ according to the traditional Hindu calendar. Gauri Tapo Vrat is a five-day fasting ritual that begins on ‘ekadashi’ (eleventh day) and continues until ‘purnima’ (full moon day) during the ‘Shukla Paksha’ (waxing phase of the moon) of the Hindu ‘Ashadha’ month. This celebration occurs during the months of July and August on the Gregorian calendar. Gauri Tapo Vrat is a significant fasting day for unmarried women and is devoted to the worship of Goddess Parvati. In the Indian state of Gujarat, Gauri Vrat is performed primarily by unmarried women.
Gauri Tapo Vrat Date 2023
Tuesday, 12 December 2023
Rituals of Gauri Tapo Vrat
- On the day of Gauri Tapo Vrat, unmarried women rise before sunrise and bathe.
- They worship Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva with complete devotion on this day. To delight the Goddess, various kumkum, akshata, dhoop, flower, and incense stick offerings are made.
- Unwed women observe a partial fast on this day.
- During these five days, only foods made from ghee, wheat flour, and milk are consumed. During the fast, it is permissible to consume a variety of fruits.
- However, the observer of the Gauri Tapo Vrat must rigorously abstain from eating salt for the entire duration of the five days.
- During the Gauri Vrat fast, it is customary to cultivate maize in a small pot. In addition to Goddess Parvati, the Sun God and delicate corn shoots are also worshipped during these five days.
- On the final day, Ashadha Purnima, the maize shoots are consumed as ‘prasad’ following the conclusion of the worship rituals.
- The remaining seedlings are distributed to other members of the family. After the ceremony, the pot is kept and the residual corn and mud are placed beneath any tree.
Significance of Gauri Tapo Vrat
Gauri Tapo Vrat holds great significance for Hinduism adherents, and it is primarily observed by young women with great devotion and zeal. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati initially observed this vrat because She desired Lord Shiva as Her consort. After years of ‘tap’, her desires were eventually granted. Since then, it has been widely held that any young woman who observes this Gauri Vrat and worships Goddess Parvati will marry the man of her choice.
