Gowri Habba


Gowri Habba is a Hindu festival celebrated a day before Ganesh Chaturthi.
This festival celebrates the goddess Gowri or Gauri, who is venerated as the mother of Ganesha. It is usually observed by married women and is a significant festival in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is known as Hartalika in the North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Gowri, the mother of Ganesha and wife of Shiva, is worshipped throughout India for her ability to bestow upon her devotees courage and power. Hindu belief has it that Gowri is the incarnation of Aadhi Shakthi Mahamaya. She is the Shakthi of Shiva. It is believed that on Thadige, or the third day of the month of Bhaadra, Gowri comes home like any married woman comes to her parents' house. The next day Ganesha, her son, comes as if to take her back to Kailasa.
The Swarna Gowri vratha is performed on the occasion to appease the goddess.

Swarna Gowri vratha rituals

Gauri habbada mangaladravya

Another speciality of this festival is that the married woman's parents and brothers send all items required for worship to the married daughters of their family. Some send money as a substitute for mangaladravya. This good practice remains unchanged and keeps people closer. Newly-married women give sixteen pairs baagina to married women and obtain their blessings. One baagina is kept for the Goddess Gowri. The main food items in this festival's feast are the delectable "beLe hoLige" / "Kaayee-hoLige", "Huggi" / "Chitranna" and "Bajji".

Customs