A joyous celebration of Shiv Parvati union
Rajasthan is that one state where throughout the year one or other fair and festival is celebrated across different sects and religions. The reason why this place remains welcoming for everyone in every season is the joyous celebration of life in the forms of festivals.
Upon such festival, Teej arrives in the monsoon season that marks the arrival of prosperity and happiness in the lives of everyone. Kajri Teej, Hartalika Teej and Hariyali Teej all are the names of this festival that mark their origination with the arrival of monsoon season that bring greeneries which has its direct relativity with prosperity.
Experience the joyous celebration of festival with sweets, henna and colorful attire in Jaipur
With the arrival of monsoon, the preparation of the festival begins and this become well evident by taking tour of local markets. Every place will bear a saree or clothing in Leheriya pattern having association with the welcoming gesture of the person who will wear it. This pattern is prepared in clothing line, suits & dupattas, lakh Bengals and can be seen in accessorizing jewelry. The majority of colors that can be found in abundance in these patterns are pink, green, peach, yellow and orange.
Henna making is another important event in which every single married female participate since henna is associated with longevity of married life. Married and unmarried women in sarees (or the traditional attire like Poshak) and accessorized jewelry worship the idols of Shiva and Parvati in temples.
Day will be spent in greeting the family members and visiting to their houses with sweets like Ghewar which is prepares especially for Teej festival. Touring garden and enjoying swings is of special importance as an in-built part of the festival.
For unmarried girls who are about to get married, received special gifts from their in-laws as a gesture of welcoming the bride to their house. Since the rainfall adds beauty and charm to this festival after scorching heat of summers; everything looks beautiful and celebrated with full energy.
Teej Festival is majorly celebrated across the Rajasthan, but the fun of enjoying this festival in Jaipur is beyond any other experience. Here, right from the City Palace a decorated idol of Goddess Parvati is taken into a palanquin and the procession begin and lead by fold artist who dance and sings the devotional songs with traditional instruments, females who dance along and camel and elephants are decorated who will accompany the Teej Sawari.
This procession take a tour of the walled city and then it comes to a halt at Chogan Stadium where after a ceremonial 21 cannons shot in the honor of the goddess are fired and the sacred idol is immersed in water.
History of Teej Festival
As per Hindu Mythology, Goddess Parvati after years of her hard penance, finally in her 107 incarnation accepted by Lord Shiva. The third day of Shrawana (Hindu month of Monsoon ) is celebrated as the joyous union of Shiva Parvati and celebrated as Hariyali Teej.