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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 Paravati 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.
A
lot of merriment prevails during the Teej procession. Groups of men
and women can be seen singing dancing and playing musical
instruments. Men and women dressed as gods and Goddess also join in
the procession. |