Teej: A galore of colour, fun, frolic and religion

According to the Rajasthani culture and tradition, in the month of श्रावण (a month in the Hindu calendar) in the शुक्ल पक्ष on the तृतीया शुक्रवार, the festival of Teej is celebrated with great splendor and enjoyment in the Jaipur city.

Dressing up:

Women in the city dress up in the traditional prints of Lehariya and adorn themselves up in ornaments and dive into the festivity with great ecstasy.
Such a similar scenario was also seen on August 5, 2016 in the localities, crossroads and in the lanes of the Jaipur city.

That’s how you do it: Teej and its celebrations

Clothing and ornaments: Adorning up

According to the old tales, married women who get into the traditional attires and garnish themselves in jewellery make the Teej out of Mitti (sand).
The Goddess of Teej (Teej Mata) is embellished in clothes and jewellery.

Prayer offerings:

After this the Teej Mata is offered and decorated with Roli, Moli, Mehandi (Henna), Kajal (Kohl), flowers and other similar things of beautification.

Food offerings to Teej Mata:

Teej Mata is offered with Kheer and Ghewar.

Story telling – Seeking blessings – Playing on swings

Tales are heard and told between the women themselves.
Women seek blessings from Teej Mata for a blessed and long married life and wish for happiness and prosperity in the family.
The prayer is concluded with offering prayer to Lord Surya.
The festival of Teej is celebrated with great excitement in newly married women.
Women also get together and take turns on the swings (Jhoole) and offer each other Ghewar.

Extravagant parade of Teej Mata: Rajwada style, royal animals – Lehariya - Kalash – Performances - Bubbling women

The procession of Teej Mata was taken out in the city of Jaipur in a royal fashion.
The predominance of the Rajwada style was displayed.
The procession was guarded by elephants, camels and horses that were adorned and embellished in fancy attires.
Various artists were dressed equally well and displayed spectacular and rich performances.
In the rear of the procession of Teej Mata, women dressed in the pinks of the Lehariya were carrying Kalash.

Devotees joining the Teej Mata parade from every place:

Devotees are religious minds were brought forward and joined the procession on hearing the loud and rhythmic beats of the bands and the traditional songs.
People joined the procession from places where the procession went through.

Every devotee wished to have one glance at the decorated and auspicious Teej Mata.

Policemen on guard to control the massive crowd:

To control the devotees and the public that gathered to witness the procession, policemen were on duty on both the sides of the procession.

Special arrangements for the tourists:

Tourists and foreigners displayed deep interest to observe the Teej Mata procession.
Special arrangements were made for the foreigners and tourists to watch the procession.

Royal Parade route:

The royal parade of Teej Mata commenced from Janani Dyodhi and travelled through Choti Chaupar and Gangauri Bazaar in the walled city, then to the Chaugan Stadium and finally to the Talkatora.
Here a fair took place and men, women and children experienced the fair with immense thrill.