Teej is the most famous festival for women India , celebrated on Third day of the moonlight fortnight of the Hindu Month of Shravan (July-August) and marks the advent of the monsoons. Basically, Teej is celebrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and celebrates the arrival of monsoon after a long drawn out summer season. It is believed that Teej is also dedicated to Goddess Parvati and commemorates the day when she was united with Lord Shiva after a penance of a hundred years - making them a symbol of an ideal marriage. There are three kinds of Teej Festival are celebrated. Names are described below.
Haryali Teej is celebrated on the beginning of Monsoon season. Haryali means greenery, so Haryali Teej is allied with good harvest and affluence. The day of Teej women wear green coloured clothes and worship the Moon, Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha.
Kajari Teej is celebrated on third day of the dark half of Shravan month in Hindu Calendar. Women gather in groups to sing devotional songs and worship neem tree. Special procession is also organized to worship the wonderfully decorated idol of Goddess Parvati.
Hartalika Teej is the most important Occasions during entire Teej festival festivities. Hartalika Teej lasts for three days and women observe a fast on the second day that is called Nirjara Fast meaning 'fast without water'. Hartalika Teej fast is observed with great devotion for the long life and prosperity of Husbands.
Legend of Teej:
Teej symbolizes "ideal marriage" highlighting the legend of Goddess Parvati uniting with Lord Shiva after a penance of over hundred years. It is believed that Parvati's blessings show the way to marital bliss.
Rituals of Teej
Idols of Goddess Paravati decorated with new clothes, jewellery are worshiped. After a ritual worship at abode, elephants, camels and horses are taken out in a ceremonial process. Women suffer fast, sing folk songs and dance to describe for Goddess Parvati. It is a belief that fasting unmarried women will fortunately find a suitable husband. Fasting married women would find bond of love with their husbands strengthened.
Festivity of Teej
During Teej Festival, swing ropes on the courtyards garlanded with flowers are a common sight. Newly marital girls come back to their parents' abode, receiving clothes from their parents. Bucolic women do shop of bangles, bindis, bead-necklaces and consume delectable cuisines. Celebration consists of games such as turban-tying and bangle wearing competition. Teej keeps a noteworthy place in the religious, cultural, societal and climatic life of Indians. It commemorates the holy reunion of Goddes Parvati with her husband Lord Shiva. Teej festival also bestows strength to the bond of marital life.
|
