Kajli Teej : 9th - 22th  Aug  2009

A   SPECIAL   MONSOON   FEST 

Rajasthan's tradition can be captured at its festive best at the fairs and festivals which are dazzlingly theatrical and lively. The celebration of Kajli Teej in Bundi, the queen of Hadoti in Rajasthan is different from the many other Teej festivals celebrated elsewhere in the state and outside. Here  it  is a  more than a week  long celebration of gaiety and fun fair.  Goddess Uma  is worshipped by the seekers of conjugal bliss and love.

The Teej Festival is celebrated throughout the rainy season in Rajasthan, with each region having its own take on celebrations. Such events are manifested by wearing colorful traditional costumes , new set of bangles ,decorations with the decorative mehendi and the like. It is dedicated to the eternal love of the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and it echoes of the time when women pray for a happy and long married life. As the rains drops fall on the parched land and the nostalgic aroma of the wet soil rises into the air, swings  are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Young girls dress up in colorful attires and sing to celebrate the advent of the monsoons. The Teej , essentially a ladies  festival is dedicated to  Gauri commemorating her union with   Shiva.  Kajli Teej is thus a  religious and cultural manifestation of the same. Besides the Shravani and Bhadon ki Teej,  the local  Kajli Teej, is  a special attraction for the foreign tourists . It is is celebrated  in Bundi  on the third day of Bhadra Pad whereas it is takes place on the third day of Shravana at other places in the state. The fest  is particularly vibrant with the traditional procession of the goddess in a decorated palanquin which passes through the main bazaar and the streets. A sight of the idol Teej on the two days is considered auspicious and people from all walks of life attend the fiesta. The procession has decorated elephants, camels, horses, bands, performing artists and folk performers. The Teej statue is covered with a canopy whereas the Gangaur idol is open.

A local fair held nearby is very popular with the rural folks around Bundi .Exhibition of  handicraft items like the traditional kataar, paintings and bangles ,rural handicraft ,petty items etc and the fancy eatables etc attract many. Artisans from far flung places participate in big numbers selling their products. The first two days are dedicated to the folk instrument  "Algoza" recital competition and it  renders a melodious take off to the fair. Though the main function lasts for two days the deliberations continue beyond Janmashtmi ( the birthday of Lord Krishna ). The mela venue i.e the Kumbha Stadium comes alive every evening bustling with fun and frolic .   Amongst the other popular festivals in the region  the Kajli Teej has its own charm and flavour.

An exuberant procession culminates at the Azad Park in the heart of the city. This year the festival took off beautifully and with the participation of the  royal Teej idol with its historical background and the traditional one simustaneously in the form of a colorful shobha yatra passing through the streets of the city.   The event attracted many dmoestic and foreign tourists.  Organized jointly by the local municipality and  the district administration each day cultural performances with special Qawwali  evenings, Kavi Sammelan and Devotional songs , musical nights etc by the well known artistes as well as local artistes  are part of the celebrations. The curious tourists also have get a  feel of the local culture and enjoy the traditional festivity.

The popular Kajli Teej with the dressed up ladies carrying the idol of Teej Mata has also been nicely depicted in the famous Bundi miniature paintings , housed at  the Garh Palace. Special poems have also been written for the ocassion. The original Teej idol made in gold and precious stones was siezed by the landlord (Thakur) Balwant Singh of Gothra in Bundi  from Jaipur many years back and later the Hada king Rao Raja Ram Singh brought the idol to Bundi and continued the tradition by celebrating Teej in the month of Bhadra 15 days after it is celebrated in the state capital Jaipur. In the present times only a neatly decorated replica of the idol is used for the festival. The  original and the historical  Teej  is kept at the royal palace of Bundi. The idol of Teej rests at the Sukh Mahal ( known as the Kiplings Rest House ) .