Teej
Festival, Jaipur
Held during the monsoons, July-August Teej is also dedicated to Lord Shiva
and Parvati and this time it is married women who pray for a happy and long
married life. Though celebrations are held all over the state, it is
particularly colorful in Jaipur where a procession winds its way for two
days through the Old City. It is the festival of swings which are decorated
with flowers and hung from trees. Young girls and women dressed in green
clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon. The Teej
idol is covered with a canopy whereas the Gangaur idol is open.
Celebration
Teej is celebrated mainly by the women folk of Rajasthan. Married women who
idolize Parvati for her devotion to her husband Shiva celebrate Teej. The
festivity revolves around singing and dancing in praise of Parvati. The
rituals allow the women to pamper and enjoy themselves, to feast, to dress
in the best of cloths, finery and jewellery, in fact to look the stunning
best.
All over Rajasthan, even in remote villages, Jhoolas (swings) are hung from
trees and decorated with leaves and flowers. Ladies and girls can be seen enjoying
on these swings, playing games, singing folk songs and applying Mehandi (henna)
on their palms. In Jaipur an idol of Goddess Parvati (Teej Mata) is taken out
in a royal procession from the city palace so that the general public can have
a chance to pay homage to the Goddess. Antique gilt palanquins, bullock carts
pulling cannons, chariots, gaily decorated elephants with silver haodas, horses,
camels, brass bands, and group of dances all form a part of this grand spectacle.
The Palanquin of Goddess Parvati is carried by 8 men dressed in red color. This
kilometer long procession winds its way through the lanes of the old city. Local
people come in huge numbers, dress in their best traditional clothes. Space
is at a premium as people perch on top of building, windows even trees to catch
a glimpse of Goddess. A huge band of urchins follows the Palanquin to grab these
offerings.
How to Reach
By Air : Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and domestic carriers operate
regular flights to and from Jaipur. Jaipur is connected to Delhi, Mumbai,
Udaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, Calcutta and Varanasi by domestic flights.
By Train: The train service to Jaipur is available from all the
major parts of the country. An excellent connection from Delhi is Shatabadi
Express that provides a fast, air-conditioned rail service. Other direct
connections to Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad,
Secunderabad, Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta.
By Bus: Jaipur can be accessed from all the major places in
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai by bus. Rajasthan roadways runs
excellent regular service of AC and Deluxe Coaches from Delhi
Hotel
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