Teej – the Teej is a fasting festival for Hindu women. It takes place in 3rd day of Shukla Paksha in Bhadrapad or Bhado month of hindu calendar normaly in the month of August or early September. It is celebrated for marital bliss, well-being of husband and children and purification of own body and soul. The festival is a three-day-long celebration that combines sumptuous feasts as well as rigid fasting. It also celebrates the arrival of monsoon after a season of oppressive heat. “Teej” is a small red insect that comes out of the soil during rains. Hence the name of the festival.
This year (2010) it is on August 12-13.
Teej in Jaipur
Ladies celebrate this festival as it marks the onset of monsoon season and is also dedicated to the Godess Parvati commemorating her union with Lord Shiva. People put swings on to the trees and wear green clothes. They also sing Teej related songs. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati. An elaborate procession is taken out in Jaipur for two consecutive days on the festive occasion.
Teej in Punjab
Women singing and dancing on teej festival
Teej is ‘Teeyan’ for Punjabis. Swings are hung from trees and women participate in dancing the Punjabi Gidha. It is customary for married women to visit their parents during Teeyan.
Teej for the Marwari Community
Teej is an important festival amongst the baniya and marwari community. In this area women are also given sysmbols of marriage like bangles and bindis. The festival is meant as a celebration for women especially young girls. Girls of the house are given new clothes. A special and fun lunch is organized by the women of the house for the women in the house. It is customary for mothers-in-law to give the newly married daughter-in-law a piece of jewellery on her first teej after marriage. Traditionally daughters-in-law would go to their mother’s house for teej. It is customary that when a daughter goes to her parents house she takes with her sweet and salty savouries with her.
Teej in Nepal
Nepali Teej is also very famous and popular festival. Women wear red colour saaris, perform puja at the Pashupatinath temple and sing Nepali Teej songs.
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