| TEEJ |
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| Celebrated In
:
Haryana |
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| Celebrated by
:
Young girls and married women |
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| In the month
of :
August |
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| The arrival of monsoons in India brings in a
lot of enthusiasm and rejuvenation in the lives of the people, which gets
reflected in the whole environment. Teej is celebrated on 'Sawan Sudi' - 3
(Jul-Aug). It is celebrated to welcome 'Sawan' or the rainy season. After first
showers of Sawan, a small red insect called 'Teej' in Haryana comes out from
soil. |
|
| Swings are set up in the open
courtyards. Girls apply henna on their hands and feet and are excused from
household chores on this day. |
|
The Legend :
The festival of Teej welcomes the monsoon. This is
the time when the oppressive heat of the summer is cooled by the monsoon
showers. The festival also marks the auspicious event when Parvati, the consort
of Lord Shiva won him over after a long penance. In rural lands and especially
in Haryana and Rajasthan, the images of the Goddess Parvati are taken out in
large processions.
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The Festivity :
On Teej, girls receive new clothes from their parents
and the mother sends a 'baya' or gift. Puja is performed in the morning. The
'baya' consisting of a variety of foodstuff, is placed on a 'thali' at the
place of worship where a 'chowk' (square) has been decorated, an idol or a
picture of Parvati is installed. The evenings are set aside for singing and
dancing. |
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Place Of Festive Activity
:
The Myna Tourist Complex in Rohtak (74 kms from Delhi)
comes alive during the festival of Teej. Swings are fashioned on boughs of
trees and cultural programmes present the rich folk songs of the state. Feats
are organised all over the state. |
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