When: 13 -14 August 2018; Hariyali Teej is celebrated on the third day of the first fortnight of the Hindu month of Shravan.
Where: Jaipur, Rajasthan
What is Teej and How it is celebrated:
Teej refers to all the monsoon festivals observed particularly in the western and northern states of India. The festivals celebrate the bounty of nature, the arrival of the monsoon, greenery, and birds with social activities, rituals & customs. The festival is mainly for women. Young girls, newlywed women, and elderly women can be seen attired in traditional costumes or in special multicolored striped pattern Laharia Sari and ornaments. The celebration includes dancing, singing, getting together with friends and narrating stories, applying henna on hands and feet, sharing festive foods and playing under trees on swings on Haryali Teej.
Traditionally, gifts are sent to the daughter's house by her mother and in-laws, husbands and other family members give gifts to girls and women of the house.
The festivals are dedicated, in many parts of India, to Goddess Parvati, also known as Teej Mata and commemorates the day when she was united with Lord Shiva. Women pray to the goddess seeking the wellness of their husband. On this occasion, a royal procession of Goddess Teej comprising of camels, dancing folk artists, royal palanquins, chariots and bullock carts, starts from the City Palace, winding its way through Tripolia Bazaar and Chhoti Chaupar on both days. The traditional sweet Ghewar is closely associated with the festival and enjoyed heartily over its duration.
Teej festival is held every year during the Hindu month of Shravan and marks the advent of the monsoon. The onset of monsoon is a time to celebrate as the rain brings water to the parent land.
Start your Teej Taiyyari as the auspicious festival is this year on 13th -14th August 2018 in Jaipur.
Sawan Ke Jhule (swings) - Symbolises happiness:
Not just Teej, but the whole monsoon is incomplete without swings. All over Rajasthan, even in remote villages, as soon as the dark clouds add moisture to the land, Jhoolas (swings) are hung from trees. Decorated with leaves and flowers during Teej, they are sometimes dressed in Leharia print fabric that gives them a look of Rajasthani tradition.
Henna - Reflect every women's charm:
For women in Jaipur, a Teej celebration is incomplete without adorning their hands with the beautiful designs of Mehandi. On the evening before Teej, you'll find most of the women getting their mehandis (henna) done from the nearby markets. One thing that they're really excited about is choosing a pattern that can hide their husband's name in it. This is more common with the ones who celebrate their first Teej after marriage.
Ghewar - any festival is incomplete without traditional delicacies:
Ghewar is at a high demand during Teej festival in Rajasthan. It's a traditional sweet dish which is a circular disc of maida (flour) mildly fried in moulds, soaked in sugar syrup and dressed with rabri or dry fruits. It is mostly sprinkled with kesar(saffron) and covered with silver 'varak' on its top. With approximately ten variations including paneer ghewar, kesariya ghewar, and malai ghewar, it is a kind of sweetmeat that manages to be totally light even with the thick layers of desi ghee. As a part of a ritual, it is gifted to newly married girls on Teej.
