Teej
Teej is a popular festival celebrated in Rajasthan, India. It is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Parvati, who is also known as Teej Mata. The festival is celebrated by married women who pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands. Unmarried girls also participate in the festivities, seeking blessings for a good husband in the future.
The Teej festival is celebrated during the monsoon season, usually in the month of August. It is a three-day festival that marks the arrival of rain and the beginning of a new agricultural season. The festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm in Rajasthan, especially in the cities of Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur.
During the Teej festival, women dress up in traditional Rajasthani attire and wear bright and colorful bangles made of lac. They also apply mehendi (henna) on their hands and feet, and decorate their hair with flowers. Women visit temples and offer prayers to Teej Mata, and perform aarti (worship ritual) in the evening.
The festival also includes cultural programs, dance performances, and competitions such as the traditional Teej procession. In the procession, beautifully decorated elephants, camels, and horses carry Teej idols and images of Teej Mata through the streets. Musicians play traditional instruments and women dance to the rhythm of the music.
Teej is not only a festival of devotion and prayer, but also a celebration of the monsoon season and the rich culture and heritage of Rajasthan.
