Teej festival is celebrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, and Nepal. This festival is commemorating the day when Goddess Parvathi reunited with Lord Shiva after 108 births. In her 108th birth, Lord Shiva realized her devotion and love for him and accepted as his wife.
Married women consider this a very auspicious day to pray for the well being of their husband. Teej falls in the Hindu month of Bhadrapad, August-September in Gregorian calendar. For the festival dates click here.
The festival coincides with monsoon, bringing the much needed relief from the harsh summer. Hence, it is also a celebration of rains too. Married women visit their parents house and they are given gifts by their in-laws as well as their parents.
Women wear lehariyas, which are garments with water wave prints representing the rain in bright hues. They apply mehendi on hands and feet, and wear jewelry made of lac and gold. The women fast on this day day and do pooja to Teej Mata / Goddess Parvathi. They listen to the Teej Katha / story of Teej. In the evening they spend time swinging, singing, and dancing in the rain.
Goddess Parvati is carried in processions on the streets.
Sweets like Ghewar, Malpua, Puri Kheer / Pal Puri, Sweet Matri and so on are prepared on this day.
