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.
Activities (6-9 August, 2005)
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.
