| Held during the monsoons (June-August),
Teej is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati and this time
it is married women who pray for a happy and long married
life. Though celebrations are held all over the state, it
is particularly colorful in Jaipur where a procession winds
its way for two days through the Old City. It is the festival
of swings which are decorated with flowers and hung from trees.
Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs
in celebration of the advent of the monsoon. The Teej idol
is covered with a canopy whereas the Gangaur idol is open. |
Teej is celebrated mainly
by the women folk of Rajasthan. Married women who idolize
Parvati for her devotion to her husband Shiva celebrate Teej.
The festivity revolves around singing and dancing in praise
of Parvati. The rituals allow the women to pamper and enjoy
themselves, to feast, to dress in the best of cloths, finery
and jewellery, in fact to look the stunning best.
All over Rajasthan, even in remote villages, Jhoolas (swings)
are hung from trees and ecorated with leaves and flowers.
Ladies and girls can be seen enjoying on these swings, playing
games, singing folk songs and applying Mehandi (henna) on
their palms. In Jaipur an idol of Goddess Parvati is taken
out in a royal procession from the city palace so that the
general public can have a chance to pay homage to the Goddess.
Antique gilt palanquins, bullock carts pulling cannons, chariots,
gaily decorated elephants with silver haodas, horses, camels,
brass bands, and group of dances all form a part of this grand
spectacle. The Palanquin of Goddess Paravati is carried by
8 men dressed in red color. This kilometer long procession
winds its way through the lanes of the old city. Local people
come in huge numbers, dress in their best traditional clothes.
Space is at a premium as people perch on top of building,
windows even trees to catch a glimpse of Goddess. A huge band
of urchins follows the Palanquin to grab these offerings.
A lot of merriment prevails during the Teej procession. Groups
of men and women can be seen singing dancing and playing musical
instruments. Men and women dressed as gods and Goddess also
join in the procession. |
Shatabdhi and Intercity connects
Jaipur to Delhi. Shatabdhi is fully air conditioned train
starts from Delhi (5.55 AM) to Jaipur (10.35 AM), you can
also try Intercity Exp starts from Delhi at (4.55 PM) reaches
Jaipur (10.35 PM). There are other trains also to Jaipur from
other metro cities, to know more click here. |
