Rajasthan is a land of colourful fair’s & festivals, and Teej is amongst an important monsoon festival celebrated on the third day of the waxing moon in the month of Shravan as per the Hindu Calendar. Teej festival marks the holy union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The riot of colors, enormous fanfare, and many interesting cultural rituals, this festival is celebrated with much fervor and vigor in Rajasthani women.
Hariyali Teej, Hartalika Teej, and Kajri Teej are the other names of this festival when women and girls together pray to the goddess for the safety of their husbands or future ones and wish for happiness in married life by singing folk songs and swaying on a tree swing.
Festival Date: Teej Festival 2020 is expected to be celebrated on 23rd July 2020
History of Teej Festival -
As per the Hindu mythology, after the self-immolation of Sati, Lord Shiva became grief-stricken and went for meditation to a peaceful location. It was believed that Sati took 108th birth subsequent births to bring Lord Shiva out of his meditative state, but her 108th birth, she was in the form of Parvati. Thus married women seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati on the Teej Festival for happy marital bliss.
On this occasion, women observe a fast and pray through the night. In the morning, they wear red sarees and get ready to worship Goddess Parvati. Swings on large tree branches, special songs, henna designs on hands, sweets, and clothes, are some of the major attractions of this festival.
Teej Festival celebration in Jaipur -
A grand spectacle of the royal procession of Teej Mata on an antique palanquin called Teej Sawari winds through the lanes of Jaipur. There’s a whole fanfare of traditional folk dancers and band players who accompany the procession. In the city, it is the only of the two times when Tripolia Gate in the bazaar gets opened for the public every year. The whole parade begins from Tripolia Gate in the afternoon and goes all the way to Chaugan Stadium passing through Gangauri Bazaar and Choti chaupar. From delicious Ghevars to lip-smacking malpuas, many Rajasthani delights are cooked by the women that adds sweetness to the celebration.