Though we have done the road journey from Delhi to Jaipur many times earlier, but this is one journey one doesn’t mind taking again. Its been raining continuously in Delhi for the last few days! But what a perfect weather to drive down to one of the beautiful places closer to Delhi. On a long weekend, when the weather was just perfect, we decided to take a road journey from Delhi to Jaipur for the photography tour. It was India’s independence and the Teej festival so the long weekend break.
Teej is an important festival for women, it welcomes monsoon. It also commemorates the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, married women pray to Lord Shiva and Parvati to bless them with happy and long married life like theirs. The swings are decked with flowers and hung from trees, women dressed in green clothes make merry and sing songs. Women apply henna to their hands and feet, get dressed up, and parade around. Women perform traditional folk dance dressed in green colored clothes and sing beautiful Teej songs while enjoying their sway on swings bedecked with flowers. Artists such as folk singers and dancers follow the procession.
Teej is not only about the visual feast, but one gets to relish the food specially cooked during Teej like Ghevar and dal baati churma etc..
Jaipur- the city of victory – a fantasy in pink stone and the capital of Rajasthan state. Jaipur (known as the Pink City), was the stronghold of a clan of rulers whose three hill forts and series of palaces in the city are important attractions. Known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city, Jaipur’s bazaars sell embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares. Western Rajasthan itself forms a convenient circuit, in the heart of the Thar desert which has shaped its history, lifestyles and architecture. The road journey from Delhi to Jaipur could be a bit tiring, so we decided to take the national highway and drive early in the morning so that we can reach before the festival procession starts in Jaipur.
In Jaipur a spectacular royal procession featuring an idol of the Goddess Parvati (Teej Mata), winds its way through the lanes of the Old City. It comprises antique palanquins, bullock carts pulling cannons, chariots, decorated elephants, horses, camels, brass bands, and dancers, a bit of everything really. The procession starts out from Tripolia Gate and winds its way through Tripolia Bazaar and Chhoti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, and ends at Chaugan Stadium. This year after a long gap there were 30 colourful elephants in the procession. It is believed that the name of this festival comes from a small red insect called ‘Teej’ that emerges from the earth during the monsoon season. Hindu mythology has it that on this day, Parvati came to the Shiva’s abode, marking the union of the husband and wife. It exemplifies the sacrifice of a wife to win the mind and heart of the husband.
It was a thrilling experience and we enjoyed every bit of our trip.
