Introduction
Fairs
and festivals are a window to the culture of a nation. They give us an
insight into the lifestyle of a people. The northern Indian state of
Rajasthan is renowned for its exotic culture. Each of its cities has
something to be acquainted with and to experience. Jaipur, the capital of
the state, is too uniquely charming. The city has an abundant supply of
architectural treasures, fun and excitement. The city celebrates numerous
festivals from the religious to the popular.
The Teej Festival of Jaipur is celebrated with much enthusiasm and zeal.
The men and women of the city can be seen singing and dancing and playing
musical instruments. The festival is basically meant for the womenfolk who
hold goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva, as their role model. Both young
and married women dress themselves in the best of costumes and sing praises
of goddess Parvati. Feasts are organised and women take part in the gaiety
that predominates the whole city.
Celebrations
The Teej Festival falls in the month of Shravan (As per Hindu calendar)
which is during July/ August. Not only Jaipur, but folks all over the state
and even in remote villages celebrate the festival with great fervour. The
celebration includes feasting, dancing, singing and merrymaking. During the
festivities, one can be witness to a whole lot of sights and scenes,
resulting in a variety of experiences.
The festival is held during the monsoons. The first sight announcing the
festival is the jhoolas (swings) that hang from trees, trimmed with leaves
and flowers. Girls and women can be seen busy swinging. The air begins
reverberating with folk tunes. Traditional games are played. Ladies dance
out of joy and excitement. They apply mehndi (henna) on one another's palms.
A sense of gaiety and merriment prevails all around. This is the true
essence of Teej.
Goddess
Parvati is worshipped everywhere in the city. Girls pray and wish for the
right match for themselves. Married women pray for a successful conjugal
relationship. The image of goddess Paravati or the Teej Mata is taken out in
a huge royal procession. The procession advances towards the City Palace as
the city folks pay their tributes to the goddess. Gilded palanquins,
bedecked chariots, bullock carts pulling canons, caparisoned elephants,
horses, camels, brass bands and dance groups make it a stupendous sight
indeed. As the procession approaches through the city lanes, more and more
local folks join in. Those who remain indoors climb up to their roofs to
watch the scene. Offerings are made as the idol of the goddess moves ahead.
Urchins follow to snap offerings. A bunch of men and women dressed as gods
and godesses can also be observed. Even the markets of Jaipur take on the
heat. Enthusiasm can be felt as you take a stroll though the markets. Shops
are decked up and the people teem with fervour and excitement.
Other Attractions
While in the city, you can also experience and explore the architectural
legacy that the maharajahs of yore bequeathed Rajasthan. The most famous
tourist attractions are as follows.
» City Palace
» Hawa Mahal
» Jantar Mantar
» Amber Fort
» Ram Niwas Bagh
» Jaigarh Fort
» Nahargarh Fort
»
Govind Deoji Temple
» Rambagh Palace
» Kanak Valley
» Lakshmi Narayan Temple
» Sawai Mansingh Museum
Reaching Options
The city of Jaipur, at a distance of 262 km from Delhi, has excellent air,
rail and road network. The Sanganer Airport of Jaipur finds itself linked
with places like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Udaipur.
Jaipur has its own railhead connecting to Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Chennai,
Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Ahmedabad. The state transport corporation
also plies a number of buses throughout the state and to the neighbouring
states.
