Monday, Jul 31, 2006
Teej Celebrations Across India
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Indian women, decked in jewellery and new clothes, danced and sang songs on Friday, July 28, while celebrating the festival of Teej.
 © Bindu, Atlanta, GA Indian women, decked in jewellery and new clothes, danced and sang songs on Friday, July 28, while celebrating the festival of Teej.
The festival, celebrated by married women, reminds them of their childhood. The fun and gaiety notwithstanding, women also go on fast till late in the evening, as an act of symbolic rededication to their husbands and their families.
"All women wear green bangles, dance and pray for the long lives of their husbands," Mini Mehra, a married lady, said.
The festival also marks rejuvenation and the onset of a string of Hindu fairs and festivals through the autumn and winter months and eventually comes full circle with Gangaur, celebrated in Spring.
Teej, held in honour of the Goddess Parvati, consort of Hindu God Shiva, celebrates the onset of the monsoon and bids a final adieu to summer.
Lord Krishna devotees celebrated Haryali Teej
For millions of devotees of Lord Krishna around the world, Vrindavan remains the holiest place which they want to visit at least once in their life. Every celebration evokes deep religious sentiments in every visitor to the holy town in Uttar Pradesh.
Thousands of devotees thronged the famous Banke Bihari temple on Friday, chanting religious hymns in the praise of Lord Krishna on the occasion of Hariyali Teej festival.
During the month of Shravan that falls at the peak of monsoon season, the holy city of Vrindavan assumes a festive aura.
Of the various important festivals celebrated during the months of Monsoon (July-August), the Haryali Teej festival has its own significance for the devotees of Lord Krishna and his consort, Radha.
Haryali Teej is mainly related with greenery and is commemorated for abundance of greenery and also a good harvest.
"We did not have any pre-plans to come here but it was Lord Krishna who inspired us to visit this holy place. Though we have come several times, it is the first time that we have come on the occasion of Teej," said Rita, a devotee.
On this occasion, the idols of Lord Krishna and Radha here are adorned in colourful dresses and placed in a large swing made of gold and silver at the Banke Bihari temple. It is a rare treat that is open to all devotees only for once in a year.
"We come here every month and enjoy to watch Lord Krishna in various colourful dresses. But during Haryali Teej, we come here, especially, to see the large gold ornamented swing of Lord Krishna and this comes only once in a year," said Suparna, a devotee.
Inside the temple, Holy water is sprinkled on devotees to give them a feeling of the advent of rainy season. Teej heralds the onset of monsoon.
On Haryali Teej, a swing carrying the small deities is placed inside the main temple. It is called Jhulan Leela (playing on swing). Devotees chant a variety of hymns, narrating the various Leelas of Lord Radha and his consort Radha.
There are three main versions of Teej which are celebrated in a year. They are Haryali Teej, Hartalika Teej and the Kajri Teej. (ANI)
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