Teej Festival Jaipur

Teej is a festival of women. Like the Gangaur, Teej is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati but unlike Gangaur, in Teej only married women pray for the wellbeing of their spouse and a long and happy marital life.

Teej is celebrated in several parts of North India at the onset of Monsoons (it is held on the Third day of the moonlight fortnight of the Hindu Month of Shravan that typically lasts from mid-July to mid-August). However, it is most popular in the State of Rajasthan and particularly in the city of Jaipur.

Teej is a festival of fun and revelry. Swings decorated with flowers are hung from trees. Songs and dancing accompany the merrymaking. Women dress up in green coloured clothes during this festival.

In Jaipur, the royal part of the festivities includes taking out an idol of Goddess Parvati (Teej Mata) in a royal pageant from the City Palace for the public to pay homage to the Goddess. Antique gilt palanquins, bullock carts pulling cannons, chariots, bedecked elephants, horses, camels, brass bands, and dances all form a part of this grand procession. The Palanquin of Goddess Paravati is carried by eight men dressed in red colour. This kilometre long parade travels through the lanes of the old city. People come out in their traditional best to participate.

Teej is also an excellent time to enjoy Rajasthani delicacies like 'Ghewar' and 'Malpuas'. It is also a good time to shop for the Rajasthani 'tie and dye' fabrics and saris as well as trendy accessories.