Introduction: According to Hindu mythology, on the 3rd day (teej) after the new moon in the month of Shravan Goddess Parvati went to the house of lord Shiva, her husband and was united with him.
Teej is celebrated in India especially by women in the months of July-August marking the advent of monsoons. It has great significance in Rajasthan as it is observed to provide relief from the scorching heat of summer. Thus, it is popularly called the Sawan Festival.
History of Teej
Teej is celebrated in India especially by women in the months of July-August marking the advent of monsoons. It has great significance in Rajasthan as it is observed to provide relief from the scorching heat of summer. Thus, it is popularly called the Sawan Festival.
History of Teej
The festival of Teej symbolizes reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Teej teaches us the sacrifice of wife to win the heart of husband. It is said that Parvati reborn and went through stringent fasting for 108 long years to prove her dedication, devotion and unconditional love towards Lord Shiva. Finally, 108 years of long sacrifice paid off and Lord Shiva accepted her as his wife. Till today, the festival of Teej is celebrated to honor the devotion of Goddess Parvati – popularly known as TEEJ MATA. On this day, both married and unmarried women seek her blessings for their happy marital life.
Types of Teej
In the state of Rajasthan three kinds of Teej are celebrated and worshiped by the local public in the region. Broadly,
On Haryali Teej : The moon is prayed to.
On Kajari Teej : women gather to sing songs and a pooja of neem is performed.
On Hartalika Teej : Fast for 3 days without any water on the second day.
This festival is more famous amongst the people of Rajasthan and thus the celebration of Teej remains exclusive to the Jaipur region. Teej holds a special place in the heart of the people of Jaipur as a time for rejuvenation and revival of spirits after the punishing summers. The festival is made into an even more memorable experience if it rains on this day.
Legend
The legend behind the celebrations is Goddess Parvati’s hard-core Tapasya, before her union with Lord Shiva, for which she took 108 births on the Earth. The Myth goes that she failed to have Lord Shiva as her Life Partner till 107th Birth. But this divine union happened, when she again took birth for 108th time.(DOU 14082007)
The legend behind the celebrations is Goddess Parvati’s hard-core Tapasya, before her union with Lord Shiva, for which she took 108 births on the Earth. The Myth goes that she failed to have Lord Shiva as her Life Partner till 107th Birth. But this divine union happened, when she again took birth for 108th time.(DOU 14082007)
Rituals
Teej Rituals/ What to do?
1. Teej preparation:
The festival of Teej encapsulates energy, happiness, vigor and happiness. Days before Teej, women shop sarees, jewellary, groom themselves for their husbands. They apply mehndialta.
and 2. Teej Fast:
One of the most difficult fasts, the NIRJALA fast is the soul of the day. It is a pre-day fast, and so all women of a family, neighbors, and relatives gather to have a gulp of food at mid-night, as they are not supposed to take water or food the entire day. It is very popular in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Punjab and compulsory for woman of kayastha community. As it is a difficult fast so women engage themselves in games, swings, songs, movies and other forms of entertainment taking a day off from regular house-hold activities.
1. Teej preparation:
The festival of Teej encapsulates energy, happiness, vigor and happiness. Days before Teej, women shop sarees, jewellary, groom themselves for their husbands. They apply mehndialta.
and 2. Teej Fast:
One of the most difficult fasts, the NIRJALA fast is the soul of the day. It is a pre-day fast, and so all women of a family, neighbors, and relatives gather to have a gulp of food at mid-night, as they are not supposed to take water or food the entire day. It is very popular in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Punjab and compulsory for woman of kayastha community. As it is a difficult fast so women engage themselves in games, swings, songs, movies and other forms of entertainment taking a day off from regular house-hold activities.
It is advised that pregnant or sick women do not take up this fast as it can affect their health, or they should supplement their diet with juices and milk.
3. Teej Puja
3. Teej Puja
Women observe the fast, usually gather in a temple or at a common place, with mehndi on hands and beautifully dressed. They offer the Katha to Goddess Parvati in the daytime with the complete procedure, then see moon in the night, and offer prayers to it, to complete their puja and then finally take meals.
The complete process with necessary ingredients is as follows.
• Lighting oil Lamp:
The complete process with necessary ingredients is as follows.
• Lighting oil Lamp:
It is supposed to be a purification act, where an oil lamp is lit throughout the night. If oil lamp puts out or flickers, it is supposed to be a bad-omen
• Shrinjhara (Gift Pack) :
• Shrinjhara (Gift Pack) :
It is customary for married women to return to their parent’s home. They receive a gift pack from their in-laws called the Shinjhara derived from “Shringaar”. This pack contains all items for shringaar of their bahus. Right from Leherai sarees, Heena, Lac bangles to sweets like ghewar.
• Baya (Gift Pack): It is normally given to newly wed daughter-in laws by their mother-in laws. Baya is normally given to women observing fast comprising of sweets, mathris, clothes and jewellery.
• Swings : To engage themselves on a hard fasting day of teej, women enjoy swings, songs and other sorts of entertainment.
• Mehndi : It is traditionally a norm to apply mehndi on this occasion.
Importance of Mehndi:
• Baya (Gift Pack): It is normally given to newly wed daughter-in laws by their mother-in laws. Baya is normally given to women observing fast comprising of sweets, mathris, clothes and jewellery.
• Swings : To engage themselves on a hard fasting day of teej, women enjoy swings, songs and other sorts of entertainment.
• Mehndi : It is traditionally a norm to apply mehndi on this occasion.
Importance of Mehndi:
Mehndi application is one of the important rituals in Teej . Not only married women but young girls also apply mehndi on this occasion. These days many kinds of mehndi are famous and preferred by different women. Beauty parlors are full and booked for this purpose. Earlier women used to apply alta to decorate their hands, but today there are many varities of mehndi that when washed can be removed , which is preferred by working women.
Arabic Mehndi,
Pakistani Mehndi,
Indian Mehndi
Hands Mehndi
Foot Mehndi
Tattoo Mehndi Styles
Mehndi Painting,
Glitter Mehndi
Fashion Mehndi
Arabic Mehndi,
Pakistani Mehndi,
Indian Mehndi
Hands Mehndi
Foot Mehndi
Tattoo Mehndi Styles
Mehndi Painting,
Glitter Mehndi
Fashion Mehndi
CelebrationsMarking the start of monsoons and happiness, this festival is celebrated with great joy and colorful customaries throughout northern India.
Jaipur in Rajasthan especially organizes a fair for tourists and people coming from all over country to get a glimpse of all the customs and traditions associated with it.
Women buy beautiful sarees and jewellary, apply mehndi, offer prayers to goddess Parvati and enjoy the monsoons with swings and songs. There are also processions running throughout many cities that become a means of dance and fun for children and other people.
On the occasion of Teej, Dandia dances are arranged by professionals and performed in courtyards at home and in public places.
The young girls of the house who dress up in colourful saris, lehangas and chunris, also perform these dances.
The colourful dandas (sticks) moving in rhythmic beats, with each swing of the hands and feet, hitting either at one's own danda held in the other hand, or at the one held by the other dancers, are really beautiful to watch.
Girls with Henna on their hands and feet run about joyously and are excused from household chores on this day. Special Mehndi motifs also called laheria and ghewar are applied to match the mood of Teej.
Girls with Henna on their hands and feet run about joyously and are excused from household chores on this day. Special Mehndi motifs also called laheria and ghewar are applied to match the mood of Teej.
On Teej, it is a must for the girls to receive clothes from their parents. Gifts comprising of set of heavy clothes, eatables, dry fruits, bangles, which is called as baya, for the first year after marriage is given to the newly weds. Girls engaged to be married, receive gifts from their future in-laws a day before the festival. The gift, called Shrinjhara derived from the word shringar (adornment), consists of henna, lac bangles, a special dress of laheria (tie and dye fabric) and a sweet called ghewar. The pooja is performed in the morning. The baya which consists of a variety of foodstuff is placed on a thaali (plate) at the place of worship where a chowk (square) has been decorated, an idol or a picture of Parvati is installed. The evenings are set aside for singing and dancing.
Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Young girls and women colourfully attired, swing on them and sing songs in praise of the goddess and the monsoon. The gracefully ornamented and colourfully dressed women celebrate the day adding fun and frolic to it through their local gatherings. The hands crafted with Henna add into the beauty of the ladies and a popular belief that goes with it is that the darker the Henna the more a man loves his woman.
The colours of the month of Sawan, lilting songs - specific to the festival, are sung to accompany the application of henna, creating an aura of romance. This atmosphere of Teej is celebrated with the fullest of life to make it the most memorable day of the year and for the reason it is the much awaited festival amongst the girls of India.
The tie-and-dye chunri in green, red, and yellow with its zari and gota along with green, yellow and red bangles, becomes a feast for the eyes.
The rituals allow one to pamper and enjoy themselves, to fast and feast, to dress the best with best of cloths, finery and jewellery. The festivities end with exchange of gifts and the arrivals of husbands to fetch their wives. The wives then leave then leave their parent’s home like Parvati.
The colours of the month of Sawan, lilting songs - specific to the festival, are sung to accompany the application of henna, creating an aura of romance. This atmosphere of Teej is celebrated with the fullest of life to make it the most memorable day of the year and for the reason it is the much awaited festival amongst the girls of India.
The tie-and-dye chunri in green, red, and yellow with its zari and gota along with green, yellow and red bangles, becomes a feast for the eyes.
The rituals allow one to pamper and enjoy themselves, to fast and feast, to dress the best with best of cloths, finery and jewellery. The festivities end with exchange of gifts and the arrivals of husbands to fetch their wives. The wives then leave then leave their parent’s home like Parvati.
Teej shopping:
Teej is one festival where women like to pamper and beautify themselves, and hence shopping becomes an integral part of all its preparation. Women shop for sarees, jewellary, cosmetics, footwears and other varieties of attractive accessories.
Significance/Importance of Teej:
Teej is a women oriented festival, and its significance comes from two main reasons, first, the advent of monsoons and second, the union of Shiva- Parvati.
- As per Hindu mythology, this day is associated with the victory of a wife’s devotion towards her husband. Women across India, especially in Rajasthan, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh observe a Nirjal Vrat for their husbands.
- Teej means advent of monsoons, thus, women enjoy this break from heat and daily chores with swings and songs.
- Married women generally visit their parents place and receive gifts from their in-laws and spouse.
- On the day of Teej, women pay special attention to their appearance by wearing colorful Leheria Sarees and applying henna on their hands
When Is Teej
There are 3 different forms/types of Teej celebrated on different days and with different customs:
| Haryali Teej | Kajari Teej | Hartalika Teej | |
| Date of celebration | 4th August’2009 | 19 August’2009 | 2nd September’2009 |
| symbolises | Greenary,good harvest,onset of monsoons | Onset of Bhadra | Devotion to husband |
| Deities observed | Krishna Radha | Parvati | Parvati |
| Customs associated | Women pray to moon, offer milk. | Pooja neem | Nirjala vrat by women, sing songs and enjoy swings. |
Teej Fair
To celebrate Teej as a community festival, the state of Rajasthan organizes The “Sawan Mela” every year in the months of July/August. It is like a mirror to Indian traditions and customs to the tourists from outside. Many attractions in the fair are:
Complete puja process:
Necessary ingredients:
Prepare a thali with Flour, Agarbatti, kumkum, and some coins (not copper). Place or draw a symbol of god, for eg: Swastik or Om. Then prepare a swing (jhula) with cotton cloth or available sources. Rest the thali on the swing and narrate the following prayer, with the idol of Goddess Parvati in front of you.
‘LAKSHMICHAND NALE HIKRO SETH DHANI AIN DHARMATMA HO
HUNAKHE HIKRI KANYA AE BA PUTTA HUA
HUNA PEHNJE KANYA JO VIVAH DOORDESH ME KARAYO HO
HUNA BAI PUTTA ANYA NANDDAA HUA
SETH LAKSHMICHAND KHE YAGNA KARAR JO VICHAR THIYO. UNA LAYE BRAHMAN
KHA
MAHURAT KADAE PEHENJE BINI PUTTAN KHE PEHENJE KANYA KHE VATHI ACHAR LAYE MOKLIO
BAI BHAURA PEHNJE BHERA JE GHAR PAUTA AE HUNA KHE GADJI VATHI VANYARCHAYO,
PARA UNAN JE BHERA KHE TEEJRI JO VIRT HO.
JIYE TA BHAURAN KHE TEEJRI JE BARE ME KHABAR KONA HUI, HIK BHAV VAR TECHARI KARE PEHNJE BHERA KHE THALI DEKHARE CHAYO 'DIS CHAND NIKTO THAI'
RUPWANTI THALI KHE CHAND SAMJHI ARG DEI BHOJAN KAYO AE VIRT TORIYO
VIRT JE BANG THIAR JE KARE, RUPWANTI TO MURS GEHRI NIND ME HALI VIYO.
JADE RUPWANTI KHE KUCHH BHI SAMJARME KONA PIYO ACHE, UNAN JE
BHAURAN UNA KHE SABH SACH BUDAYO.
RUPWANTI PEHNJE SUHAAG KHE GOD ME SUMARE SAJO SAAL SEVA AE PUJA
KANDI RAHI.
VARI JADE SAWAN JO MEHNO AYO, TADE TEEJRI JO VIRT RAKHI RAAT JOCHANDRAMA KHE KACHE KHEER ME KHAND VIJI ARG DINAI.
JADE BACHAL KHEER PEHNJE MURS JE VAAT ME VIDAI, TADE UNAJO MURSCHAAK CHANNO BHALO THI VIYO.
JEKO BH PREMI SACHE NISCHAYE SAN TEEJRI JO VIRT RAKHI KATHA PREM SAPARANDHO YA BUDANDHO, HUNANJU SABH MANOKAMNAUN SIDH SAKARTHINDIYUN.
When you have seen a good view of the moon you can now make an offering to it. This is an offering to Chandrama. To do this Place on your thali a steel glass, with a mixture of milk Place another glass which just contains water Add money to the thali (no copper coins) you can light an agarbatti too Offer to Chandrama Sprinkle sugared pani (water).
Now recite:
' Teejri aye khumbra vesa kare aayon jo
goryon lotu kheer bare''.
Recipe of Teej
- Mehndi for ladies.
- Swings
- Music
- Dance
- Puppet shows.
- Traditional folk dance.
- Display of state handicrafts and other unique varieties
- Indeed, an encapsulation of all traditional customs with areas of attraction for every generation
Complete puja process:
Necessary ingredients:
Prepare a thali with Flour, Agarbatti, kumkum, and some coins (not copper). Place or draw a symbol of god, for eg: Swastik or Om. Then prepare a swing (jhula) with cotton cloth or available sources. Rest the thali on the swing and narrate the following prayer, with the idol of Goddess Parvati in front of you.
‘LAKSHMICHAND NALE HIKRO SETH DHANI AIN DHARMATMA HO
HUNAKHE HIKRI KANYA AE BA PUTTA HUA
HUNA PEHNJE KANYA JO VIVAH DOORDESH ME KARAYO HO
HUNA BAI PUTTA ANYA NANDDAA HUA
SETH LAKSHMICHAND KHE YAGNA KARAR JO VICHAR THIYO. UNA LAYE BRAHMAN
KHA
MAHURAT KADAE PEHENJE BINI PUTTAN KHE PEHENJE KANYA KHE VATHI ACHAR LAYE MOKLIO
BAI BHAURA PEHNJE BHERA JE GHAR PAUTA AE HUNA KHE GADJI VATHI VANYARCHAYO,
PARA UNAN JE BHERA KHE TEEJRI JO VIRT HO.
JIYE TA BHAURAN KHE TEEJRI JE BARE ME KHABAR KONA HUI, HIK BHAV VAR TECHARI KARE PEHNJE BHERA KHE THALI DEKHARE CHAYO 'DIS CHAND NIKTO THAI'
RUPWANTI THALI KHE CHAND SAMJHI ARG DEI BHOJAN KAYO AE VIRT TORIYO
VIRT JE BANG THIAR JE KARE, RUPWANTI TO MURS GEHRI NIND ME HALI VIYO.
JADE RUPWANTI KHE KUCHH BHI SAMJARME KONA PIYO ACHE, UNAN JE
BHAURAN UNA KHE SABH SACH BUDAYO.
RUPWANTI PEHNJE SUHAAG KHE GOD ME SUMARE SAJO SAAL SEVA AE PUJA
KANDI RAHI.
VARI JADE SAWAN JO MEHNO AYO, TADE TEEJRI JO VIRT RAKHI RAAT JOCHANDRAMA KHE KACHE KHEER ME KHAND VIJI ARG DINAI.
JADE BACHAL KHEER PEHNJE MURS JE VAAT ME VIDAI, TADE UNAJO MURSCHAAK CHANNO BHALO THI VIYO.
JEKO BH PREMI SACHE NISCHAYE SAN TEEJRI JO VIRT RAKHI KATHA PREM SAPARANDHO YA BUDANDHO, HUNANJU SABH MANOKAMNAUN SIDH SAKARTHINDIYUN.
When you have seen a good view of the moon you can now make an offering to it. This is an offering to Chandrama. To do this Place on your thali a steel glass, with a mixture of milk Place another glass which just contains water Add money to the thali (no copper coins) you can light an agarbatti too Offer to Chandrama Sprinkle sugared pani (water).
Now recite:
' Teejri aye khumbra vesa kare aayon jo
goryon lotu kheer bare''.
Recipe of Teej
Special Teej Sweetdish
The festival of India is incomplete without sweets. Ghewar is specially famous in Rajasthan and associated with Teej recipes. It is a round shaped sweet that is served with specially prepared toppings.
The festival of India is incomplete without sweets. Ghewar is specially famous in Rajasthan and associated with Teej recipes. It is a round shaped sweet that is served with specially prepared toppings.
Ingredients
Flour : 3 cups
ghee : 1 cup
Water : ½ cup
Milk : ½ cup
Ice cubes : 3-4 pcs
Yellow food color : ¼ tsp
Ghee : 1 cup (for deep frying)
Kewra essence : 5-6 drops
ghee : 1 cup
Water : ½ cup
Milk : ½ cup
Ice cubes : 3-4 pcs
Yellow food color : ¼ tsp
Ghee : 1 cup (for deep frying)
Kewra essence : 5-6 drops
For syrup:
Sugar : 1 ½ cups
Water : 1 cup
Topping
Cardomum powder : 1 tsp
Chopped almonds : 1 tbsp
Pistachios : 1 tbsp
Milk with saffron : 1 tbsp
Water : 1 cup
Topping
Cardomum powder : 1 tsp
Chopped almonds : 1 tbsp
Pistachios : 1 tbsp
Milk with saffron : 1 tbsp
Method of Preparation
1. Add sugar to the boiled water to prepare sugar syrup.
2. Take ghee in a large bowl.
3. Add milk, flour and 1cup water. Mix together to make a smooth batter.
4. Dissolve some color in the water with Kewra essence and to the batter. Add more water if required.
5. Batter should be very smooth and thin.
6. Take an aluminum cylinder or a long cylindrical container with height 12 inches and diameter 5-6 inches.
7. Fill half the container with ghee and heat.
8. When ghee is hot, take 50ml glass full of batter and pours it slowly in the centre of the ghee.
9. Allow foam to settle. Similarly, pour one more glassful in hole formed in the centre.
1. Add sugar to the boiled water to prepare sugar syrup.
2. Take ghee in a large bowl.
3. Add milk, flour and 1cup water. Mix together to make a smooth batter.
4. Dissolve some color in the water with Kewra essence and to the batter. Add more water if required.
5. Batter should be very smooth and thin.
6. Take an aluminum cylinder or a long cylindrical container with height 12 inches and diameter 5-6 inches.
7. Fill half the container with ghee and heat.
8. When ghee is hot, take 50ml glass full of batter and pours it slowly in the centre of the ghee.
9. Allow foam to settle. Similarly, pour one more glassful in hole formed in the centre.
10. When foam settles again, loosen Ghevar with an iron skewer inserted in the hole.
11. Place ghevar on the wire mesh to drain excessive oil.
12. Pour hot sugar syrup in the flat bottomed container to fit in ghevar.
13. Put ghevar in it and drain excessive syrup.
14. Cool it for a while, cover with silver foil.
15. Splash a few drops of saffron milk and sprinkle some pistachios and almonds with cardamom powder.
16. Ghevar is ready to serve.
11. Place ghevar on the wire mesh to drain excessive oil.
12. Pour hot sugar syrup in the flat bottomed container to fit in ghevar.
13. Put ghevar in it and drain excessive syrup.
14. Cool it for a while, cover with silver foil.
15. Splash a few drops of saffron milk and sprinkle some pistachios and almonds with cardamom powder.
16. Ghevar is ready to serve.
Teej Dance
Dance, music is an important part of teej celebrations. There are different forms of dance associated with different states and communities. Ladies generally assemble at a common place to celebrate this festival, they sing songs, specially related to brides and marriages, they dance to their traditional tunes, enjoy swings , indeed there is an atmosphere of joy all around.
- Across Rajasthan: Being the state of colour, artists personify different mythological stories, tales, folk tales associated with the festival. Ladies can be seen wearing colorful costumes and jewellery.
- Across UP: Women gather in gardens and courtyards and perform dandiya. Its an extremely colorful and joyous moment to watch them perform.
- Across MP: Mainly the tunes that women dance to are related to bride’s home-coming and related to marriage.
- Across Gujarat: Being closer to the state of Rajasthan, Gujarat has a common tradition for the festival of teej , with folk music rich in atmosphere.
- Across Punjab: Teej is one of the most important festivals of Punjab, that is celebrated with great enthusiasm by women and young girls. They even perform gidda(their traditional dance form) for their husbands.
Teej Gifts
Teej being a women centric festival , there are many gift options for husbands, in-laws, parents to present to their wives and daughter in laws. As on the occasion of teej every women tries to look good , jewellary and sarees remain the best gift items. Some of the options are:
- Sarees: Leheria saree is the most popular outfit for teej as it symbolizes monsoons and energy.
- Jewellery: Traditional Lac bangles are are also a preferred choice as teej gift.
- Cosmetics: Getting ready and to look beautiful is the attraction for every women ,thus, to gift cosmetic products of wife’s choice is a good idea.
- An outing: The best gift to any married woman is the company and love of her husband, so, men should try to take their wives for an exclusive outing.
- Cards: There are special cards available for every occasion today, therefore, it remains a good idea to express one’s feelings on this auspicious occasion.
- Flowers: It’s the surest way to bring smile to a woman’s face.
Akshay Tritiya / Aakha Teej
Akshay Tritiya falls on the third day of the Shukla Paksh in the month of Baisakh. On this day the doors of the holy temple of Badrinath Dhaam are opened for the pilgrims. On this auspicious day only in Vrindavan, pilgrims have the good fortune of having the darshan of the charan of Shri Bihariji (Shri Krishna). This day the shringaar is done with sandalwood. This darshan can be done only on this day in the whole year.
A holy dip in Gangaji on Aakha Teej releases a person from the effect of all his wrong doings. This is an auspicious day to start any important work for it is believed that a work started on this day will be fruitful. This day is considered as Anbujh muhurt. Marriage, birth of the child, any celebrations can be done on this day without consulting the panchaang
A holy dip in Gangaji on Aakha Teej releases a person from the effect of all his wrong doings. This is an auspicious day to start any important work for it is believed that a work started on this day will be fruitful. This day is considered as Anbujh muhurt. Marriage, birth of the child, any celebrations can be done on this day without consulting the panchaang
Preparation for the Puja
Vidhi / Method of performing Puja
In the morning moong daal, khichdi and amlaana is prepared. Shikanji and sherbat are offered to people. On this day neither papads are roasted nor is any food item deep fried.
Seedha is given to the Brahmin. Offering shoes and fans have special significance.
Badrinarayanaji (Shri Vishnu) ki puja is done by offering tulsi leaves, mishri and soaked chana daal.
People put Pyaavo outside their houses for people to drink water in summer
Aarti is performed.
“Om jai jagadish harey, swami jai jagadish harey...”
In the morning moong daal, khichdi and amlaana is prepared. Shikanji and sherbat are offered to people. On this day neither papads are roasted nor is any food item deep fried.
Seedha is given to the Brahmin. Offering shoes and fans have special significance.
Badrinarayanaji (Shri Vishnu) ki puja is done by offering tulsi leaves, mishri and soaked chana daal.
People put Pyaavo outside their houses for people to drink water in summer
Aarti is performed.
“Om jai jagadish harey, swami jai jagadish harey...”
DOU 14082
