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Teej
is one of the most important and auspicious festivals of Rajasthan.
It is also celebrated in Bihar and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
It is the festival for the daughters of the house. In Rajasthan
on the occasion of Teej, Dandia dances are arranged
by professionals and performed in courtyards at home and in
public places. The young girls of the house dress up in colourful
saris, lehangas and chunris to perform these dances.
The tie-and-dye chunri in green, red, and yellow with
its zari and gota along with green, yellow and
red bangles, becomes a feast for the eyes. The dance is a
synchronised movement of hands and feet with colourful dandias
striking rhythmic beats. This dance has to be practiced diligently
earlier by all the participants. Swings are set up in the
open courtyards. Girls apply henna on their hands and feet
and are excused from household chores on this day.
On
Teej, it is a must for the girls to receive new clothes from
their parents. The system of giving new clothes on all occasions
to a daughter (and her children) was in lieu of her right
to the family property and money, which was, earlier denied
to her by law. On Teej, just as on Karva Chouth, the mother
sends a baya or gift. The pooja is performed in the
morning. The baya which consists of a variety of foodstuff,
is placed on a Ethaali 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. |