Teej is a Hindu festival in which Indian women celebrate the bond of marriage, familial relationships and pray for the overall well-being of the household. It falls on the month of Shravan and is observed mostly in North India and Nepal. Teej is also celebrated with great gusto in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab etc. and commemorates the arrival of the rains in India.

Let's see what makes this festival of India so special.

History and Significance of Teej

Teej has been celebrated in India since hundreds of years. It is believed that Goddess Parvati had to wait 108 births before Lord Shiva finally accepted her as his wife. And the three day festival of Teej marks this reunion of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Teej is of three types, Hariyali Teej, when women worship the moon, Kajari Teej, when women worship the neem tree, and Hartalika Teej, the most important one, when women observe a fast for their husband's well-being.

Teej marks the beginning of the monsoon in the northern parts of India and is therefore also called the 'Sawan' festival. Hariyali Teej gets its name from the greenery associated with the onset of the monsoon. Teej falls on the third day of the full moon in August each year.

Why Teej is celebrated

It is believed that the goddess Parvati prayed to Lord Shiva and had to wait 107 births in the human world before Lord Shiva finally accepted her in the 108th birth. Therefore, much like Karva Chauth, the spirit of Teej celebrates this very devotion of a wife towards her husband. Wives across the north pray for the well-being of their husbands as a mark of respect towards Goddess Parvati.

But this festival is not restricted to married women alone, as single girls also pray for a good husband on this day.

How Teej is celebrated

Women dress up in vibrant colours and traditional designs and clothes for Teej. Mehendi designs are a rage and beautiful and intricate mehendi designs are applied on the hands and feet. Many women visit their parents' home for this festival, and stay on till Raksha Bandhan, where women pray for their brothers. Teej is also considered an auspicious occasion for the in-laws to gift something to the married woman or the to-be bride.

Teej processions are seen commonly around north India. These processions are a sight to behold, because of the grand arrangements made for Teej Mata. Idols of Goddess Parvati, or Teej Mata, are decorated with gold ornaments and beautiful silks and taken around the city with music, dance and many devotees. Teej is a two-day festival in Jaipur and the markets are decorated and have a festive mood. Teej is also a popular attraction for tourists who travel to Jaipur to see the celebrations.

This is the way Teej is celebrated in India. Go ahead and celebrate this beautiful festival today and pray for your beautiful home!

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