First Teej: An excitement for new brides

First Teej

First Teej is a day of absolute devotion and love for newlywed brides. The celebration of the First Teej festival is of utmost importance for newlywed couples. It is a day for wives to express their deep love and affection for their husbands. There is much craze and excitement of First Teej, it is quite apparent on the faces of women as they prepare for the festival well in advance.

MUST KNOW FACTS: Union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, Teej Vart Katha, The Penance of Goddess Parvati

First Teej Craze

Newlywed brides begin their first Teej preparations well in advance. The craze of the Teej festival enchants them to buy new clothes, jewellery and other fine accessories for her adornment. Teej gives them a chance to get dressed like a new bride once again after marriage. Most women wear their wedding dresses and also wear heavy gold and diamond jewellery. Some women also buy new saree or lehenga and jewellery for their first Teej. Mehendi or henna is applied to hands and feet covers almost half of the hands and legs

First Teej brings a lot of excitement for young brides as they go to their parents' home to celebrate this festival. All rituals relating to the Teej festival are performed at her parents’ home.

Freedom from House Work

Women who celebrate their first Teej are pampered by all family members. They are not allowed to do any house chores on this day. Their husbands and other family members take special care to make these women extremely comfortable. Fasting for the first time, the women are little apprehensive but as the time passes they totally indulge themselves in the festivities. They perform all rituals earnestly as it is their first Teej.

Some mother-in-laws act as a support system for their daughter-in-laws as they ensure extra care of their beloved bahu.

First Teej Activities

On this day, the women decorate their houses extensively with flowers and lights; they also apply henna on their hands and wear new clothes and traditional jewellery. They worship the Vat, or banyan tree.

Decorated swings are hung on the trees everywhere in the city and the women take turns to swing on them while they sing Teej songs in praise of Goddess Parvati. Read more....