Rajasthan witnesses the festivities of Saawan Teej

Rajasthan is always bathed in the colours of fairs and festivals all round the year! Festival of every religion is celebrated here with true passion and similar beauty, be it welcoming or bidding farewell to a season, praying for the healthy life of spouse or any other small or big occasion for that matter. Each festival holds a significant importance in the lives of people in Rajasthan.

 

One would not just feel the lively spirit of Rajasthan’s people around the festivals, but could also witness the rich culture of Rajasthan. And one such festival is Teej, which is falling today, 26th July this year 🙂 As per mythology, Teej was the day when Goddess Parvati reunited with Lord Shiva after a long separation. It is believed that whoever worships Parvati on this day is fortunate enough to get their desired life partner by her blessings. Sinjhara is celebrated one day prior to Teej when the swings are decked with flowers and hung from trees, women dressed in leheriya and decked with beautiful jewellery make merry and sing songs! Teej symbolizes celebration of growth when women observe fasts for the long life of their husbands and men pray for good rain and crop.

The Jaipur City of Rajasthan celebrates Teej with great pomp and fair. One day before Teej, a married woman receives Sinjhara from her parents, which is a hamper that includes bindi, vermilion, mehandi or henna, bangles, ghewar and Lehariya as a symbol of their love and covertures. She then adorns herself with henna, jewels, wear lahariya sari and take delight in the celebrations of this auspicious festival of Teej.

On City level, a decorated procession of Goddess Parvati winds magnificently through the Old City of Jaipur with chariots, elephants and dancers for two days. Other than the traditional procession of Goddess Teej, to showcase the charm and culture of Rajasthan this year  once again ‘Taal Katora Ki Paal’ will be the hub of a large number of folk and cultural events, where locals and tourists can enjoy the cultural activities. Later the Teej idols will be submerged at Taal Katora pond.

 

The tempting aromas of Ghewar being cooked on sweet shops, colourful lehariyas, and blossoming flowers and women folks decked up in their traditional best add more colours to the essence of jovial season.

Rajasthani Delicay- Ghewar

So if you also wish to join in the festivities of Saawan ki Teej in this beautiful weather, then visit Jaipur as the celebration will continue till 27th evening here!

Rajasthan to celebrate Sawan Teej festival on 5th-6th August!

Festivals are synonymous to Rajasthan. The vibrant culture of fascinating state of Rajasthan can not be experienced if you have not witnessed one of its many festivals!

The most beguiling is the Sawan Teej Festival celebrated in Jaipur with great pomp and show every year. This year it will be celebrated on August 5th and 6^th 2016!

About Teej Festival though is fêted all over the state, but celebrated at its colorful best in Jaipur. The festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of monsoon, also dedicated to Goddess Parvati and commemorates the day when she was united with Lord Shiva after a penance of a hundred years. The mesmerizing procession of Goddess Parvati winds magnificently through the Old City of Jaipur with chariots, elephants and dancers for two days.

Other than the traditional procession of Goddess Teej, to showcase the charm and culture of Rajasthan this year ‘Taal Katora Ki Paal’ will also be the hub of a large number of folk and cultural events, where locals and tourists can enjoy the cultural activities. Later the Teej idols will be submerged at Taal Katora pond.

The tempting aromas of Ghewar being cooked on sweet shops, colourful lehariyas, and blossoming flowers and women folks decked up in their traditional best and henna on hands add more colours to the essence of jovial season.

Travel Tip

The government of Rajasthan state arranges a special sitting area for foreign tourists, for comfortable viewing and to photograph the procession from the terrace of the Hind Hotel opposite Tripoliya gate.

If you are in India around that time of the year, you should try to make arrangements to attend and experience this festival.

Must Carry– Camera to capture elaborated Teej procession

Street Eats–

You must try the special Teej sweet, GHEVAR and Feeni

Must Shop– Special tie and die pattern, called LEHARIYA, is must buy.

Festivals in Rajasthan

Pic: Google

Very rarely a week goes by without some kind of festival, celebration or event taking place in Rajasthan. From religious gatherings to festival of elephants, camels and cattle, the calendar of Rajasthan is overflowing with special days, which means you’re spoiled for choices.

There is quite simply no better way to experience the vibrant culture of this fascinating place than attending one of the many festivals. Every festival with pomp and pageantry celebrated all over the state are our favorites, but all these festivals display the most vibrant milange of colors, cheer and fervor in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur where enthusiasm is at its peak and tourists flock these cities specially for the historical values and fabulous experiences they offer!!

The two most important festivals celebrated in the month of June and July are Teej Festival and Jagannath Rath Yatra.

Jagannath Rath Yatra (June 29, 2014) is an extra ordinary chariot festival devoted to Lord Krishna that originated in Jagannath Puri Udaipur holds the distinction of holding the 3rd largest Rath Yatra in India. The city has two Rath Yatras on the same day at different locations. Everyone chants Hare Krishna and dance in ecstasy as Krishna in his most merciful form of Jagannath is pulled along on a huge wooden cart.

Teej Festival (July 30-31, 2014) is celebrated all over the state, but celebrated at its colorful best in Jaipur. The festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of monsoon, also dedicated to Goddess Parvati and commemorates the day when she was united with Lord Shiva after a penance of a hundred years. The mesmerizing procession of Goddess Parvati wind s magnificently through the Old City of Jaipur with chariots, elephants and dancers for two days.