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Teej festival |
Introduction
of
Teej
Festival |
The Teej
festival is an important festival for married women, and most probable
monsoon festival. It honors the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess
Parvati, after she paid a compensation of 100 years separation. The
prayer of Parvati's blessing during the festival is thought to bring
about continued marital bliss.Teej is one of the most broadly
celebrated festivals of Rajasthan. Traditional songs and dancing are
the unique features of Teej celebrations in Rajasthan. Women perform
traditional folk dance dressed in green colored clothes and sing
beautiful Teej songs.
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Jaipur (July-August) |
Teej is the
festival of swings. It marks the arrival of the monsoon month of
Shravan (August). Young girls and womens dressed in green cloths, sing
songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon.
When the rains come down, feelings fly high in celebration. Song &
dance mark the cheerfulness of the Teej Festival celebrated in Jaipur.
Teej is held every year during the Hindu Month of Shravan and marks
the arrival of the monsoons. While the rains reduce the hunger of the
land and every tree turns green, every flower blooms, the newly
married lasses, the young girls the married womenfolk all pray to
Goddess Parvati to bless them with good husbands and thereafter to
give them marital bliss and happiness.
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Teej Activities in Rajasthan |
Teej is
celebrated with huge fun and elaboration in the capital city of
Jaipur. On this day, women and young girls wear their best clothes and
decorate themselves with fine jewelry. They get together at a nearby
temple or a common place and offers prayers to Goddess Parvati for
well-being of their husband.
On the occasion of Teej, markets in Jaipur are stocked with modern
women accessories and clothes. Most of the fabric clothes display
laheria (tie and dye) prints. Sweet shops made different Teej sweets
but ghewar is the main sweet of the season. Malpuas are also prepared
in large quantities at some shops.
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Teej Fair |
Teej fairs
are organised in a number of cities in Rajasthan. Most remarkable ones
take place in Jaipur. Entire city is immersed in the color of the
festival. There are number of stalls showcasing the culture of
Rajasthan. Traditional Rajasthani dresses, Handicrafts, and junk
jewelry are some of the major attractions for tourists visiting the
fairs. Other attractions of the Jaipur Teej fair is the traditional
Rajasthani mehndi.
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Teej Procession |
Teej
procession of Jaipur not just attracts visitors from India but also
attracts a large number of international tourists. High point of Teej
procession is the marvelously ornamented idol of Goddess Parvati which
is kept on a pushcart and carried through the Pink City of Jaipur.
Thousands of devotees gather at the procession which is carried out
for two consecutive days. Antique gilt palanquins, bullock carts
pulling cannons, camels, caparisoned elephants chariots, bands, and
dance groups form a part of the grand Teej procession. The palanquin
of Goddess Parvati is carried by eight men dressed in red color. Teej
procession is a very vast affair which moves through a lot of places
in Jaipur. When the procession moves further lot of Teej songs are
sung. Folk artists and performers fascinate the crowd with their
wonderful performance. Some people even dress up like Gods and
Goddesses and play various musical instruments. Teej prasad is
distributed among the crowd of devotees.
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Teej Rituals and Traditions of Rajasthan |
At the time
of Teej, certain rituals and customs are followed by women so as to be
blessed by Goddess Parvati. Married women return back to their
parent’s house to enjoy the festival of Teej of Rajasthan. It is
considered very favorable for married and engaged women to get Teej
gifts from their parents-in-law and to be parents-in-law. Future
in-laws of engaged girls gift them 'Shrinjhara' (a gift pack) which
contains henna, lac bangles, a special laheria dress and ghewar (a
sweet dish). Other gifts are also received by women from their
relatives and in-laws. Every ritual has its own significance and so
ladies perform all Teej customs with great dedication. Women start
preparing for Teej well in advance and go out shopping to bring all
the items used in performing traditions of teej.
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Where is the Teej Festival Celebrated |
The Teej
festival is widely celebrated in the desert state of Rajasthan. The
best place to experience it is in Jaipur, where the festivities are
the grandest and most famous.
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What Traditions Take Place During the Teej Festival |
Girls
engaged to be married receive a gift from their future in-laws on the
day before the festival. The gift consists of sweets,
bangles,henna,and a special dress.
Married daughters are given a number of gifts, clothes and sweets by
their mother. After the worship has been completed, they're passed on
to the mother-in-law.
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How is the Teej Festival Celebrated |
Women dress
up in their supreme clothes and jewelry to worship the Goddess
Parvati. They also get their hands ornamented with henna, accompanied
by the singing of special Teej festival songs. Swings are fixed to
branches of large trees, and the women take turns to joyfully swing on
them.
In Jaipur, a amazing royal procession featuring an idol of the Goddess
Parvati (Teej Mata), winds its way through the roads of the Old City.
It includes bullock carts, decorated elephants, antique palanquins,
pulling cannons, brass bands chariots, horses, camels, , and dancers.
A bit of everything really!
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What to Expect During the Teej Festival |
The Teej
festival is a very elevating occasion, filled with singing, swinging,
and dancing. There's a lot of feasting too.
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Types of Teej Festival in India |
There are
three different kinds of Teej, namely – , Kajari, Hariyali and
Hartalika Teej. All the three Teej falls in different times and are
celebrated with commitment and enthusiasm by womenfolk in India There
are special customs and traditions associated with every Teej. These
traditions hold great significance for women celebrating the festival
of Teej. Date of Teej Festival is determined according to the arrival
of monsoon and hence it changes every year.
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Importance of Teej Festival of Rajasthan in India |
Teej
festival is a significant festival of Rajasthan. Two very essential
factors govern its celebration. One is that it is a monsoon festival
and the other relates to the most popular legend of Shiva-Parvati.
Fixed deep in Indian religious and cultural values- Teej plays a
significant role in defining the true nature of relationship between
married couples. Besides, the festival of Rajasthan provides much
needed break to womenfolk from their daily household work.
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Sawan Festival |
Teej
Festival of Rajasthan marks the beginning of monsoon season. It is
celebrated in the month of Shravan which brings a great relief from
the boiling heat of summers. Teej has special significance in the
state of Rajasthan as it is celebrated in the rainy season. Teej
becomes more auspicious and particular if it rains on this day. With
the arrival of monsoon, peacocks come out to dance while women enjoy
themselves by swinging and dancing in the rain.
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Religious Significance of Teej Festival in India |
Religious
significance of Teej festival lies in commitment of Goddess Parvati
for her husband Lord Shiva. It was on this day that the godly couple
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati reunited with each other after hundreds
of years.
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Climatic Significance |
Teej
festival of Rajasthan celebrates the beginning of monsoon season. Teej
festival of Rajasthan coincides with monsoon season and thus creates a
better impact for its celebration. Women enjoy themselves by singing
and dancing in rain by taking full advantage of the good-looking
climate at this time.
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Break from Daily routine of Life |
Teej
celebration has huge importance for womenfolk as it gives them a which
they need from their daily boring life. For married women it also
brings a chance to visit their parent’s house and relive childhood
memories.. womens pay particular attention to their appearance and
deck themselves in beautiful clothes and fine jewelry. Women also
apply different patterns of mehndi on their hands and feet.
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Strengthening Relationships |
One of the
primary significance of Teej festival of Rajasthan is that it helps in
strengthening relationships between
married couples.
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Teej Festival of Jaipur |
Teej Festival Celebration |
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Teej Festival
Celebration |
Teej Festival |
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