Teej is mainly celebrated in north Indian states but is now popular in Delhi, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, reports Rakesh Kumar
Every year, the third day after Shravana month of the Hindu calendar
is celebrated by married women across much of North India with much
gaity and enjoyment. The auspicious day of Teej is a much anticipated
monsoon festival, which commemorates the reunion of Lord Shiva and
Goddess Parvati, after her 100 years of penance. The three-day festival,
which marks for the well being of the family, is mainly celebrated in
north Indian states ~ Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana and
Punjab in different styles. Now it is also observed in Delhi NCR,
Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Every state has different take on this festival. For instance, Teej
has a broader significance in Rajasthan, where it is observed to provide
relief from the scorching heat of summer. Rajasthan Tourism organises a
Teej fair called Sawan Mela or Monsoon Festival every year to showcase
the customs and traditions of the state during this time. Teej is also
celebrated as a major festival in Nepal. At the famous Pashupatinath
Temple in Kathmandu, women circumambulate the Shiva Linga and offer
special prayers to Shiva and Parvati. A day before, this festival is
celebrated as Sinjara, where young girls and women apply mehandi, or
henna, on their hands and eat sweets such as Ghevar. They take out a
procession in the streets singing and dancing. We take a look at how
Teej is celebrated in different states.
Haryana
In Haryana, on girls apply mehandi on their hands and feet. Married women get gifts, including new clothes, from their parents. The gift, known as baya, also consists of a variety of foodstuffs. The gift is placed on a thaali at the place of worship, usually a chowk (square), which is gaily decorated and an idol or a picture of Parvati installed. The evening is full of singing and dancing and includes prayers by the women for their husbands' longevity and their families.
Rajasthan
Teej is also known as a festival of swings. On this day women, dressed in green colour, swing to their hearts’ content, accompanied by songs. To mark the festival, Rajasthan Tourism organises an elaborate procession in Jaipur for two consecutive days on the festive occasion, watched by people in large numbers. The Teej idol has a canopy overhead whereas the Gangaur idol is out in the open. The traditional Ghevar sweet is also an inseparable part of the festival.
Punjab
In Punjab, Teej is celebrated as Teeyan. The whole month of Sawan sees women getting together to perform Giddha and enjoy the swings hung from trees in the village communal land. Like Haryana, it is customary for married women to receive presents from her family in the form of new clothes and sweets.
Haryana
In Haryana, on girls apply mehandi on their hands and feet. Married women get gifts, including new clothes, from their parents. The gift, known as baya, also consists of a variety of foodstuffs. The gift is placed on a thaali at the place of worship, usually a chowk (square), which is gaily decorated and an idol or a picture of Parvati installed. The evening is full of singing and dancing and includes prayers by the women for their husbands' longevity and their families.
Rajasthan
Teej is also known as a festival of swings. On this day women, dressed in green colour, swing to their hearts’ content, accompanied by songs. To mark the festival, Rajasthan Tourism organises an elaborate procession in Jaipur for two consecutive days on the festive occasion, watched by people in large numbers. The Teej idol has a canopy overhead whereas the Gangaur idol is out in the open. The traditional Ghevar sweet is also an inseparable part of the festival.
Punjab
In Punjab, Teej is celebrated as Teeyan. The whole month of Sawan sees women getting together to perform Giddha and enjoy the swings hung from trees in the village communal land. Like Haryana, it is customary for married women to receive presents from her family in the form of new clothes and sweets.
