Teej Festival

Trip Overview

When the monsoon arrives, Rajasthan turns green, and Jaipur celebrates Teej. Women dress in green and red, henna their hands, sing songs on flower-decked swings and welcome the rains. A procession carries the Teej Mata idol through the Old City. On a private Teej tour with Luxury India Private Tours, you see it with a local guide, taste the festival sweets, and return each evening to a heritage hotel. It is a very different Rajasthan from the winter-season trip, and a far quieter one.

What is Teej?

Teej is a group of festivals held in the monsoon months, mainly by women in northern and western India. They honour Goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva. Hariyali Teej ("green Teej") falls in the month of Shravan, welcomes the rains and celebrates marital happiness. Kajari Teej and Hartalika Teej follow later in the monsoon season. Married women dress in their finest, pray for their families, and unmarried women pray for a good life partner. In Rajasthan it is also a festival of friendship and spring-like cheer in the middle of the monsoon.

Teej in Jaipur: what you will see

* The Teej Mata procession. The idol of Teej Mata is carried through the Old City in a grand procession with folk artists, bands and traditional costume. It starts near the City Palace and moves through the old bazaars.

* Swings (jhoola). Garden swings decorated with flowers are central to the festival. Women sing Teej songs as they swing.

* Green and lehariya. Women wear green sarees, lehariya (wave-pattern) dupattas and glass or lac bangles. Jaipur's bazaars sell them at their best before the festival.

* Mehndi (henna). Intricate henna designs on hands are a Teej tradition.

* Festival sweets. Ghewar, a honeycomb-style sweet, and feeni are the stars of Teej. Fresh ones are in every Jaipur sweet shop at this time.

Private Teej experiences we can arrange

* A good viewing point for the Teej Mata procession, with your guide explaining each part

* A henna session with a local artist

* Shopping for bangles, lehariya and block-print textiles with a guide who knows the right shops

* A ghewar tasting at a traditional sweet shop

* A swing-garden evening at your heritage hotel

* A cooking session of festive dishes with a local family

Related pages to link: /golden-triangle-tour-with-pushkar/, /rajasthan-tour-packages/, /rajasthan-tour-package-8-days/, /rajasthan-colorful-tour-8-days/

Travelling in the monsoon: what to expect

Rajasthan is usually promoted as an October to March destination, and Teej is the exception. It is warm and humid in July and August, with passing showers rather than constant rain. The landscape is green, crowds are small and hotel rates are often lower. Heavy rain can occasionally slow road travel, so we keep itineraries flexible and use air-conditioned private cars. Wildlife parks such as Ranthambore are normally closed in the monsoon, so a tiger safari is better saved for another season.

Practical tips

* Pack for rain and heat. Light cotton, a compact rain jacket, comfortable closed shoes with grip, and insect repellent.

* Dress respectfully. You are welcome to wear green or traditional clothes. We can help you choose a saree or dupatta in Jaipur.

* Photography. Ask before photographing women at prayer or in procession.

* Crowds. The Old City is busy on Teej day. A private guide helps with timing and positioning.

* Do I have to fast? No. Fasting is a personal practice for those who observe the festival. Visitors are not expected to take part.

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