Teej

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Haryali Teej Performance

Giddha dance Teeyan Punjab Teej India 2

Shiva meditating Rishikesh

WLA vanda The Marriage of Shiva and Parvati

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Teej is a generic name for a number of festivals that are celebrated in Nepal, India, and by Khas women of Nepal. These festivals are traditionally observed by women to celebrate the monsoon season, with fasting, singing, dancing, and prayer rituals. The festivals are dedicated to the Goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva.

Types of Teej

There are three main types of Teej festivals celebrated:

1. Hariyali Teej - Also known as Chhoti Teej or Shravana Teej, Hariyali Teej falls in the Shravana month of the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to the monsoon season of July-August in the Gregorian calendar. It celebrates the greenery brought by the monsoon and is marked by women wearing green clothes, singing songs, and swinging on tree swings.

2. Kajari Teej - Kajari Teej, also known as Badi Teej, comes around 15 days after Hariyali Teej. It is celebrated with much fervor in North Indian states, especially in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Women fast and pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for marital bliss and the well-being of their families.

3. Hartalika Teej - Hartalika Teej is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September), a day before Ganesh Chaturthi. It is observed by both married and unmarried women. The day is marked by the narration of the Hartalika story, fasting, and the performance of a ceremonial puja in honor of Parvati and Shiva.

Significance

The Teej festivals are significant for several reasons. They are a celebration of the monsoon season, which is crucial for agricultural societies. The festivals are also a reflection of the cultural and social importance of marriage and family in Hindu society. Women pray for the health and longevity of their husbands, and unmarried women seek blessings for a good husband like Shiva.

Customs and Traditions

The customs and traditions of Teej include fasting, where women do not eat or drink for the day, dressing up in fine clothes, usually red or green saris or lehengas, and adorning themselves with jewelry and mehndi (henna). Special prayers and rituals are performed at temples dedicated to Shiva and Parvati. Women gather to sing traditional songs and dance in celebration of the festival.

Food

Although fasting is a significant part of Teej, the festival is also known for its special foods. Women break their fast with a feast that includes traditional dishes like ghewar, kheer, and puri. These foods are often shared with family and friends in a communal celebration.

Conclusion

Teej is a vibrant and important festival that celebrates womanhood, family, and the blessings of nature. It is a time for women to come together in joy and prayer, observing age-old traditions that reinforce the cultural values of Hindu society.