Teej

Description[edit]

Red velvet mite (Trombidium), also called Teej, appears during the monsoon season.^[2] It is unclear if the mite is named after the festival, or vice versa.

Teej refers to the monsoon festivals, observed particularly in western and northern states of India, Nepal, and in some Southern states of India such a Telangana. The festivals celebrate the bounty of nature, arrival of clouds and rain, greenery and birds with social activity, rituals and customs.^[3]

The festivals for women, include dancing, singing, getting together with friends and telling stories, dressing up with henna-coloured hands and feet, wearing red, green or orange clothes, sharing festive foods,^[3] and playing under trees on swings on Haryali Teej.^[4]

The festivals are dedicated, in many parts of India and Nepal, to Parvati.^[3]

The types of Teej[edit]

"Teej" refers to the "third" day that falls every month after the new moon (Amavasya), and the third day after the full moon night of every month.^[5] The monsoon festivals of Teej include Haryali Teej, Kajari Teej and Hartalika Teej.^[6]

Teej festivals are traditionally observed by women to celebrate the monsoons, on the third day of the Indian month of Shravan,^[2] and on the third days of the waning and waxing moon of the Indian month of Bhadrapada . Women also pray to goddess Parvati seeking the wellness of their husband,^[7][8] children and their own self.^[2]

Haryali Teej[edit]

Haryali Teej is celebrated on the third day of the bright half of the North Indian Lunar month of Shraavana. As Shraavana (or Saawan) month falls during monsoon or rainy season when the surroundings become green, the Shraavana Teej is also called Hariyali Teej (Green Teej). A fast is kept and the focus is the moon.

The Hariyali Teej festival is also celebrated to remember the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the day when Lord Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati as his wife. Goddess Parvati fasted and was austere for many years and was accepted by Lord Shiva as his wife in her 108 birth. Goddess Parvati is also known as Teej Mata.^[9]

Sindhara Teej: On Teej festival married daughters receive the gifts by her mother such clothes, bangles, bindi, mehandi etc. "Ghewar" a special sweet is given to her on this day. These gifts are known as Sindhara^[10]

Observance in India of Haryali Teej[edit]

The traditional areas of celebration are: Punjab region and Rajasthan.

Punjab region[edit]

The festival is celebrated in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Giddha dance Teeyan Punjab

Punjab[edit]

Teej is known as teeyan in Punjab and is seen as a seasonal festival which is dedicated to the onset of the monsoon.^[11] The festival is celebrated by women of all faiths, and lasts from the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Sawan as per the Punjabi calendar to the full moon of Sawan (about 13 days). Teeyan involves women getting together and performing Gidda, married women visiting their families and receiving gifts. It is also traditional for women to ride on swings.

Fairs are organised in Schools and Colleges where dance competitions are held.^[12]

Haryana[edit]

Haryali Teej is a festival when girls play on swings that are set up under trees or open courtyards During Teej, in-laws, husbands and other family members give gifts, typically new clothes and accessories, to girls and women. Boys fly kites. prepare churma and sweets especially ghevar at their home.^[13]

Haryali Teej is one of the famous festivals of Haryana, and is celebrated as an official holiday. Many functions are organised by the Government of Haryana to celebrate this festival, which welcomes the rainy season. Boys traditionally flew kites from morning to evening, though this tradition is losing its charm in big cities due to high rise buildings and lack of terrace space.

Swings are set up in open courtyards, under trees for the season. Girls apply henna to their hands and feet and are excused from household chores on this day. On Teej, girls often receive new clothes from their parents.

On Teej, just as on Karva Chauth, the mother sends a baya or gift. The puja is performed in the morning. The baya, which consists of a variety of foodstuffs, is placed on a thaali at a place of worship where a chowk (square) has been decorated, and an idol or picture of Parvatihas been installed.^[14] The evenings are set aside for singing and dancing, including the women's prayers for their husbands' longevity and their families.

Chandigarh[edit]

Chandigarh administration makes special arrangements for Teej celebration in the Rock Garden in the city. School children present plays and other cultural programs on this day. The female members of the family, especially daughters, are given gifts and dresses.^{[1 Happy teej to all girl}