Teej (redirected from Green Teej)

Teej (Tij; Green Teej)

July-August; third day of waxing half of Hindu month of Sravana

Teej is a way to welcome the monsoon, the season when the wind from the Indian Ocean brings heavy rainfall. The festival is celebrated especially in the dry, desert-like state of Rajasthan in northwestern India. Because the monsoon augurs good crops and fertility, this is also a celebration for women and is dedicated to the Hindu goddess, Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva and patron goddess of women. On this day, she is supposed to have been reunited with Shiva.
On Teej women traditionally paint delicate designs on their hands and feet with henna. Specially decorated swings are hung from trees in every village, and women swing on them and sing songs in praise of Parvati. Married women go to their parents' home and receive gifts of clothes and jewelry. There are also local fairs and processions carrying the image of the goddess.
In Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, women dressed in their finest go out to the main temple with flowers and brass vessels filled with water to worship the goddess and sing her praise. A palanquin carrying an image of Parvati is carried through the streets in a procession of decorated elephants, camels, horses, chariots, dancers, and musicians.
On this day in Kathmandu, Nepal, Hindu women visit Pashupatinath Temple to worship Shiva and Parvati. Ritual bathing in the sacred Bagmati River is supposed to wash away the sins of the past year.

CONTACTS:
Department of Tourism, Art & Culture, Government of Rajasthan
Govt. Hostel Campus, Paryatan Bhawan, M.I. Rd.
Jaipur, Rajasthan 302 001 India
91-141-25110595; fax: 91-141-25110591
www.rajasthan.gov.in
Nepal Embassy
2131 Leroy Pl. N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
202-667-4550; fax: 202-667-5534
www.nepalembassyusa.org

SOURCES:
BkHolWrld-1986, Aug 6
FestIndia-1987, p. 38
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 473
HolSymbols-2009, p. 937
RelHolCal-2004, p. 171
(c)