28-29 July 2006
Teej is the festival of swings. It marks the advent of the monsoon month of
Sawan (August). The monsoon rains fall on the parched land and the pleasing
scent of the wet soil rises into the air.
Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Young girls and women
dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon.
This festival is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati,commemorating her union with
Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati is worshipped by seekers of conjugal bliss and happiness.
An elaborate procession is taken out in Jaipur for two consecutive days on the
festive occasion which is watched by people in large numbers. The teej idol
is richly decorated with ornaments and gaudy dresses. The Teej idol is covered
with a canopy whereas the Gangaur idol is open.
The Teej festival is grandly celebrated each year by women in Rajasthan by offering
prayers and worship to Goddess Parvati for her devotion to her husband Shiva.
This festival marks the arrival of the rainy season, bringing relief to the
parched land and brings special joy to women and girls who go around singing
and dancing in praise of Parvati. Women associate this festival with rituals
of swinging in rain, singing folk songs, decorating palms by applying Mehandi,
dressing in best of clothes and jewelry and feast.
In Jaipur an idol of Goddess Parvati is taken out in royal procession from The
City Palace. This grand spectacle consists of Royal Antique Gilt Palanquins,
cannons on wheels drawn by bullocks, chariots, gaily decorated Elephants with
silver Haudas, Horses, Camels, brass bands and groups of dancers.
Eight men dressed in red cloth carry the palanquin and the long procession is
participated by men and women in large numbers who sing and dance merrily.
RAJASTHAN
INDIA TOURISM
News
Copyright
© Rajasthan
India Tourism. All Rights Reserved