Covered
In This Section : Overview, Historical Background, Celebrations, Where
to Reach
Festival Overview
Teej is one of the popular festivals celebrated in Rajasthan, at some
places in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar state. The festival marks the coming
monsoons or Sawan. Teej as such falls in the month of July-August. The
festival is devoted to Goddess Parvati and like Gangaur believed to bring
prosperity and bliss to the married couple. Teej is also popular as the
festival of swings. Mainly celebrated by the womenfolk there is lot more to
witness than just home making.
History
Teej is celebrated to pay homage to Goddess Parvati. According to Hindu
mythology, on the third day of the month Shravan Goddess Parvati was
reunited to Lord Shiva after a penance that lasted for about hundred years.
This is one popular legend that marks the celebration of the festival. The
festival is celebrated for other attributes, like the productivity brought
by the monsoons. People living in villages, especially those dependent on
agriculture, wait in anticipation for the said festival.
Celebrations
There is one un-oblivious activity you will find during the festive days of
Teej - the swings. Also called the festival of swings; people at many places
make swings from the over hanging branches of the trees and the swings are
beautifully decorated with flowers. Women take an active part in the
festival. You can see them busy preparing special dishes on the day, singing
and dancing, at many places in the state.
In Jaipur a procession is carried out
with the image of Goddess Parvati, Teej Mata. The procession is a very big
one followed by marching elephants, camels, horses and bullock carts. The
image is carried in a palanquin and usually carried by eight brightly
dressed men.
Besides that the city like Jaipur shines in bloom as the homes, worshipping
places and markets are adorned and decorated.
Where to Reach
Teej Festival is celebrated in many north Indian cities. In the state of
Rajasthan the festival is celebrated with great pomp and show at Jaipur and
Jodhpur. To witness this wonderful festival you need to reach either of the
city. One can get an experience at many cities, besides the mentioned
cities.
