Teej is a women-oriented Monsoon festival of Hindus which brings the joyous breeze of singing, dancing, and swinging to celebrate the prayers to deva. When the day, date, and time of Teej comes, tree swings and Fundi (Also spelled as Foondi) remain the highlight of the Teej celebration.
There are three types of Teej that are celebrated with different significances, rituals, and beliefs. They are- Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej. These all swing festivals bring a flood of prayers towards the Parvati and Shiva.
Overview
(Gregorian calendar's date varies as per Hindu Lunar calendar)
Teej Meaning
The meaning of Teej lies in its name. Teej means “three or third”. As its name suggests, the festive celebration of Teej is held on the third day of the Hindu calendar Panchang.
Who Celebrates Teej?
Primarily, Teej is celebrated by Hindu women who follow the Indian culture and traditions.
Where is Teej Celebrated?
Teej is celebrated mainly in North India and Nepal.
Teej Day, Date, and Time: When is Teej in 2021?
The day of Teej is observed as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar. It falls on the third day after Amavasya or New Moon night and after the full moon night. So the third day of Shravan and the third day of Bhadrapada month’s waning and waxing moon are considered important from the religious point of view.
When is Teej in 2021?
Teej falls in July, August, and September months of the Gregorian calendar.
God of the Teej Festival
The Teej worships are dedicated to Maa Parvati (Gauri) and her union with the Bhole-Bhandari Lord Shiva.
Rituals: How is Teej Celebrated?
Worship Dedicated to Parvati
Teej festival holds religious significance and is dedicated to Gauri and her union with Shiva.
Solah Shringar: Complete Indian Bridal Look!
The Hindu females wear red or pink-colored sari or Lehenga-Odhni (traditional Indian dresses). Some wear orange or green-colored Indian addresses as well. The married women don full Solah Shringar: The adornment of 16 items, and then participate in the rituals and prayers.
Henna-Handed Females All-Around
The Mehendi (henna, also spelled as Mehdi or Mehandi) filled hands with red-orange hues attract every eye and nose with its color and fragrance.
Get-together of Indian Girls and Ladies
All the girls and women from the family and friend circle gather at one place. They all pray by singing the religious geet (folk songs in regional language or in Hindi). Some of them take initiative and dance in the round.
Stories of Teej Are Never Missed!
One of all tells the mythological stories and folklores to strengthen the belief and preserving the Indian cultural traditions.
It’s Eating Time!
The program also includes the refreshment for all in which the snacks and sweets are distributed among the attendees.
Significance of Teej
A Women-Oriented Hindu Festival
Teej is one of those festivals which are dedicated to the women and girls that come together to spread happiness around by singing, dancing.
Monsoon Festival of Hindus
Monsoon doesn’t bring just those water buckets of rain; it carries along with the huge celebration of swings as well. People enjoy the appeasing fragrance of wet soil after the new rain.
What can be more blissful than the Teej-related social activities with the chirping of birds, greenery, and the bounty of nature?
Celebration of Prayers!
Usually, people pray and worship together with seriousness and sincerity. Teej is also a festive occasion to offer prayers to the deva (lord or god), but it is done with great delight.
It is a bitter truth that praying is contracted to be the fearful devotion or a medium to bribe God for fulfilling their desires in most cases. Teej is one of those occasions when and where you celebrate your prayer time with mass.
Beliefs and Mythologies
The Hindu ladies believe that if they will participate in Teej, Goddess Parvati will keep their husbands well and safe. Many offer prayers to Devi Parvati for the wellness of the whole family including their husband, children, and themselves.
An Important Celebration of Teej
Swinging Girls
The first thing that the festival of Teej reminds of is- the swings. Women and girls swing together in various styles such as:
- Swinging alone or in pair on the rope hung on a tree branch
- Swinging by holding the hands in a cross style and taking the rounds
Whatever way they swing, it is fun to enjoy around with friends and relatives. It is a different kind of amusement when only females are allowed in the get-together and all you have to do is- enjoy your heart out.
