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Teej (July- Aug)
 Celebrated In
: Haryana
In The Month of
: August
Celebrated By
: Young Girls And Married Women
Teej heralds the onset of Sawan (monsoon), which is necessary for the agricultural prosperity of the state. Dressed in all their finery, with mehndi on their hands, the womenfolk converge to welcome the rains. The festive occasion has them on their feet with gidda and kikli (two folk dances). Makeshift swings are hung from trees and the women frolic on them, singing the traditional bojeeyan and tappe. Songs are also sung in praise of Goddess Parvati, as it was on this auspicious day that Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, won him after much penance. This festival too, is celebrated in both Punjab and Haryana.
The Legend
 The festival of Teej welcomes the monsoon. This is the time when the cruel heat of the summer is cooled by the monsoon showers. The festival also marks the auspicious event when Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva won him over after a long penance. In rural lands and specially in Haryana and Rajasthan, the images of the Goddess Parvati are taken out in huge processions.
The Festivity
On Teej, girls accept new clothes from their parents and the mother sends a 'baya' or gift. Puja is performed in the morning. The 'baya' consisting of a variety of foodstuff, is placed on a 'thali' at the place of worship where a 'chowk' (square) has been decorated, an idol or a picture of Parvati is installed. The evenings are set aside for singing and dancing.
Place of Festive Activity
The Myna Tourist Complex in Rohtak (74 kms from Delhi) comes alive during the festival of Teej. Swings are fashioned on boughs of trees and cultural programmes present the rich folk songs of the state. Feats are organised all over the state.
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