The hues of love, culture and beauty mingled with the tints of heritage, handicrafts and a grand legacy brought down the generations. You are pink, I am pink; for pink is the color that this city leaves in our hearts forever. Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’ was founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II in November, 1727. Known worldwide for its rich culture and architectural beauty, Jaipur is the largest city of Rajasthan, and its capital too. What makes it different from all other cities is its deeply rooted heritage that houses in itself not just the beauty of traditions and different art forms but also paves way for technological and architectural advancements. Whether it is about festivals or food, travel and tourism or corporal sector, Jaipur has a niche for every possible genre.
The months of July and August are the most prismatic ones in Jaipur. The city looks dipped into and drunk on rainbows. With the petrichor mixing in with the amazing fragrance of our favourite ‘chai and pakode’ comes again the most voraciously celebrated festival of ‘Teej’. Teej is one of the most colourfully celebrated festivals in Jaipur. It’s all about women dressed in jazzy leheriya, patricoloured lehengas, ‘Mehendi ki khushbu’ and ‘Saawan ke jhule’. And when it comes to Teej, how could we forget our favourite Malai Ghewar!
Teej falls on the third day after new moon. Teej as a festival is celebrated three times during the Indian month of Shravan, namely Hariyali teej, Kajli Teej, and Hartalika Teej. Badi Teej is celebrated with great zeal and pomp in our Jaipur city. Married women fast for the day and pray to Goddess Parvati for the long lives of their husbands and children. Young girls put on vibrant lehangas and leheriya sarees and enjoy the swings under lush green trees. As magnificent as this festival is, it keeps an immensely important place in the hearts of Jaipurites. We celebrate it with all kinds of food and festive preparations. Jaipur’s Teej celebration is not only famous across the nation, but also known across the globe for its enlivening and pulsing rituals, and traditions.
The very famous Rajasthani dessert ‘Ghewar’ is the authentic food associated with Teej. Other savoury dishes associated with Teej are ‘Malpua,’ ‘Kesar Jalebi,’ and ‘Mirchi Pakode.’ The mere thought of a kesar jalebi or a delicious malpua melting in our mouths is enough to get us high on love for this festival!
Besides the amazing excitement among common people for Teej, every year the Rajasthan Tourism carries out a pageant procession that passes from various areas of the old city of Jaipur including Tripolia Bazar, Chaugan Stadium and Talkatora. Rajasthani folk dances, palanquins, tableaux, vividly ornamented elephants and drama are different parts of this vibrant pageant that takes place on the day of Haryali Teej. Scores of Jaipurites along with national as well as international tourists turn up to enjoy the festivities of this grand pageant. Apart from the common spectators, it also attracts hundreds of photographers and videographers for the extravaganza. Teej Procession is one of the biggest pageant held in Jaipur, over the year.
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Teej, for Jaipurites is not a mere monsoon festival, it is also a feeling of being tied to our colourful roots of Rajasthani tradition, that keep the beauty and avidity for culture alive year after year.
