Teej: Celebrating love, devotion, and monsoons

Major Airports:

Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR)

An ode to love, fidelity, and new beginnings

Mainly celebrated by women, Teej is a festival that holds deep cultural meaning and is accompanied by colourful rituals, happy celebrations, and sincere expressions of devotion. Filling the air with endless joy, Teej celebrated womanhood by honouring their strength, resilience, and grace.

The celebrations of Teej mark the arrival of the monsoons and the celebration of love and fidelity. The days of Teej is abound with devotional songs and rhythmic beats fading into the night and the smell of incense filling the air. Teej leaves behind a legacy of love, devotion and spiritual renewal that is rejuvenates the hearts of devotees. It is really a congratulatory ceremony for man and woman considered eternally connected to each other, a time to take blessings from god to ward off the conflicts and be in harmony.

Come and join us on our journey to learn about the rich traditions, the sacred customs, and the colourful celebrations that give life to the spirit of Teej.

Ancient legends and folktales

Teej is believed to date back to ancient times when folktales of love and devotion formed the base of the tapestry. Myth asserts the celebration of Teej as the symbolic representation of the union of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva after a long period of separation.

Legend has it that Goddess Parvati did a series of austerities and penance to win the love and affection of Lord Shiva, and eventually, they were reunited on the sacred day of Teej.

In addition to the existing Teej folktales, another popular legend about Teej is the story of Teej Mata, a divine goddess who is worshipped for her blessings of marital happiness, fertility, and prosperity. These legendary tales still invoke sacredness and faith within devotees who accomplish Teej at a specific time to obtain blessings from the Gods and ensure sacred harmony and longevity in marriages.

in.gov.incredibleindia.core.models.impl.ImageUtilModelImpl@13c4ee49

Essential information

Sacred rituals and customs

The main rituals and customs that women across states observe in the observance of Teej are carried out in a meaningful way. The married women adorn themselves in colourful clothes, mostly in green and red colours, which are the symbols of fertility, abundance, and marital happiness.

They do so at the temples that are dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Teej Mata to pray and seek blessings for the good health for their families. Conducting new special pujas (religious rituals) and offering sweets, fruits, and flowers to the goddess, in addition to the recitation of Vedic hymns and devotional songs, is also part of the tradition.

in.gov.incredibleindia.core.models.impl.ImageUtilModelImpl@4d045134

Colourful celebrations and joyous festivities

Teej has gained great popularity, making the community members come together to take part in the numerous cultural parades, art performances and exciting fun. In Punjab and Haryana, women meet in great numbers to perform traditional folk dances like Gidda and Kikli, showing their skills and cheerfulness.

in.gov.incredibleindia.core.models.impl.ImageUtilModelImpl@2ebce7bf

In Bihar and Telangana, the Teej festivals are held at fairs, where there are colourful markets, amusement rides, and cultural shows, and families come together to celebrate the festive atmosphere. Teej, a popular festival associated with the grey city Chandigarh, brings out the proper essence of the city with drums, cymbals, and folk music sounds as devotees enthusiastically and joyfully celebrate the Teej festival. Rajasthan celebrated with royal processions comprising of camels, dancing folk artists, royal palanquins, chariots and bullock carts and enjoyment of the traditional sweets, Ghewar, heartily!

Explore more

festivals

21-24 Nov

Raas Leela: Art breathes life into Lord Krishna's legends

A festival where theatrical artistry breathes life into the timeless stories of Lord Krishna.

21-30 Nov

Sangai Festival: A grand celebration of Manipur’s heritage

A ten-day extravaganza that immerses visitors into the art, music, craft, indigenous sports and cuisine of the region.

23-27 Nov

Vautha Mela: An enchanting fair where tradition meets trade

A carnival beckoning you to immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty and heritage of the Great Rann of Kutch.

02-04 Feb

Hampi Utsava: Unveiling the majesty of a proud heritage

A tribute of music, dance and celebration to the heritage of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Biju is one of the major festivals of the Chakma tribal community. This festival is celebrated on the last two days of the Bengali year and on New Year's Day.

13-15 Apr

Biju Festival: Embark on a cultural journey in Tripura

A colourful 3-day festival that marks the dawn of a new year for the Chakma community in Tripura.

Close up top view of female hands tying colorful rakhi on her brother’s hand isolated on white background on Raksha Bandhan Festival

19 Aug

Raksha Bandhan: Strengthening the bonds of sibling love

Celebrate the unbreakable bond of love and protection on Raksha Bandhan, where threads of affection tie hearts together.

India, Vrindavan, Dancing Krishna. Sculpture at Prem Mandir temple is maintained by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, an international non-profit, educational, spiritual, charitable trust.

26 Aug

Janmashtami: Celebrate Lord Krishna's birth with joy and devotion!

A vibrant celebration honouring the birth of Lord Krishna, filled with colourful festivities and joyous rituals.

01-09 Oct

Bathukamma: Telangana's enchanting floral festival

A joyous celebration of nature’s bounty with exotic flowers of the region.

03-12 Oct

Vaishno Devi Festival: A divine sojourn in the Himalayas

Embark on a spiritual pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi Festival, where faith meets blessings in the heart of the Himalayan mountains.

05 Oct

Yemshe Festival: A harvest of culture, tradition, and unity

A festival of gratitude for a bountiful harvest and a glimpse into the rich culture of Pochuri tribe.

12 Oct

Kullu Dussehra: An enchanting celebration in the lap of the Himalayas

A charming fiesta where heritage and folklore come to life with a fascinating congregation of deities.

12 Oct

Mysuru Dasara: A symphony of grandeur and culture

A ten-day extravaganza in the enchanting city of Mysuru, celebrating the victory of good over evil.

kaveri-sankramana-1-regional-fes-city-state

17 Oct

Kaveri Sankramana: Celebrating the miracle of Kaveri river's birth

A festival hailing the birth of the Kaveri at the mythical source of the river.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a Hindu temple located in Kolkata, India. The presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, an aspect of Kali.

Upcoming: 31 Oct

Kali Puja: A unique and spiritually enriching experience

An awe-inspiring festival celebrating the formidable Goddess Kali.

kut-festival-lunglei-mizoram-1-regional-fes-city-state

Upcoming: 01 Nov

Kut Festival: A joyous harvest celebration in the heart of Manipur

A grand celebration of cultural heritage and the bountiful blessings of nature.

Upcoming: 05-08 Nov

Chhath Puja: A festival worshipping the Sun God

An ancient Vedic festival reflecting deep reverence for the Sun God

Upcoming: 07-15 Nov

Tokhü Emong: A celebration of harvest and togetherness

A post-harvest festival of gratitude and camaraderie.

Upcoming: 23 Nov

Tulsi Vivah: A sacred festival of divine union

A sacred Hindu festival celebrating the symbolic marriage of the holy Tulsi plant with Lord Vishnu, invoking blessings and prosperity.

ngada-festival-1-regional-fes-city-state

Upcoming: 27-28 Nov

Ngada Festival: A celebration of thanksgiving and renewal

An 8-day celebration when the Rengma people of Nagaland come together to dance, sing, feast, and renew relationships.

Circa 2018. Oil candles, also called Deepams, are lighted on a rangoli design to celebrate the festival of Karthigai Deepam.

Upcoming: 13 Dec

Karthigai Deepam: The Tamil festival of lights

An integral part of Tamil culture, the festival is said to ward off darkness, spreading prosperity and joy.

Upcoming: 19 Dec

Liberation Day: A day of triumph and freedom

A day that commemorates the glorious victory that secured independence from 450 years of Portuguese rule.

Riine Festival: Celebrating abundance and togetherness

A festival of gratitude and celebration at Pfutsero Town in Nagaland, marking the end of a year of hard work.

Tawang Festival: Embrace the soul of Arunachal Pradesh

Discover the cultural treasures of Tawang amidst Himalayan beauty.

Kalidas Festival: Honouring a literary luminary amidst the hills of Ramtek

A spectacular celebration of art, culture and the literary legacy of Kalidas amidst the picturesque landscapes of Ramtek, Maharashtra.

View all