Dolā Gaurī is the Saubhāgya Gaurī vrata of Chaitra Śukla Tṛtīyā, kept by married women two days after the lunar New Year. Gaurī and Śiva are placed in a small decorated cradle (dolā) and gently swung, with songs, offerings of turmeric and kumkum, and prayers for a long married life and for children. Tradition holds that this is the day Pārvatī's long tapas bore fruit and Śiva accepted her, so the vrata asks for the same steadfast union in one's own home. How the day is fixed: The vrata is kept on Chaitra Śukla Tṛtīyā, the third lunar day after the Chaitra new moon. It usually falls two days after Ugādi and Guḍhī Pāḍavā. Keep in mind: When the Tṛtīyā is short or spans two sunrises, the local pañcāṅga decides the day, so it can differ by a day between places. The amānta and pūrṇimānta calendars both call this month Chaitra, since the bright fortnight is named the same in both. This year: The 2027 date shown here is worked out from sunrise at the place you chose, so in another city the same day can fall a day earlier or later. The cradle pūjā: An image or picture of Gaurī with Śiva, or of child Śiva, is placed in a small decorated cradle and worshipped with turmeric, kumkum, flowers and naivedya. The women swing the cradle gently while singing, and some Vaiṣṇava homes swing Rāma in the same way. Chaitragaur and Gangaur: In Mahārāṣṭra this day begins Chaitragaur, when Gaurī sits on a swing at home until Akṣaya Tṛtīyā and women hold haldi-kunku with āmbyāchī ḍāḷ and panha. In Rājasthān the Gangaur worship that began the day after Holī ends on this day. Worth remembering: Dolā Gaurī is a separate Gaurī vrata from Atla Tadde, the Śrāvaṇa Maṅgaḷa Gaurī Tuesdays, Svarṇa Gaurī (Gaurī Habba) before Gaṇeśa Chaturthī and Jyeṣṭhā Gaurī. Each has its own month and its own rite. Whether the cradle holds Gaurī with Śiva, child Śiva or Rāma, which songs are sung and which sweets are offered all follow family and regional custom. In some homes the vrata is a single day, while in others it opens a month of Gaurī worship. Keep the vrata the way the women elders of your own house have kept it.
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