Tradition and culture always remain big asset for the respected community.As Teej festival is also the important factor to other community likewise jat ,Marwari, Baniya and Nepali but when it comes to our Banjara community its applies for young lady who perform to carry the grains on the top of our head and worship to the god for the prosperity of the village and their respective family.It is really boost that every community have their own faith to celebrate the jubilant festival Literally, “teej” means “third”. Therefore Teej falls on the third day after the moonless night (Amavasya) and the third day after the full moon night of every month. However, the third day after the new moon or Amavasya of Shraavana (श्रावण) month is the most important Teej. As Shraavana (or Saawan) month falls during monsoon or rainy season when the surroundings become green, the Shraavana Teej is also called Hariyali Teej (Green Teej).
The ‘Teej’, which rests on the traditional ‘phuliagano’ on the head of the girls, is immersed in water on Janmashtami by the girls, who reach the water bodies singing songs. The music is usually played on a dappu by the brothers of the girls.Teej is the festival of young girls who pray to the revered Seva Lal for their well-being. The ‘Teej’ consists of wheat saplings raised in a small basket made of bamboo, which symbolizes prosperity,” says Chaggan Rao Rathod Yavalikar from Yavatamal District who is the renown in politics and vast knowledge in Banjara culture .As experience is the great teacher therefore i would like to give the weight age of genuine person who had varied knowledge in the spectrum of this field .As as a result i have collected some information for my deep knowledge inorder to deliver the same to our community person .Well when you go profoundly about Teej festival i still remember that the Teej festival is an important festival for married women, and much anticipated monsoon festival.
It commemorates the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, after she paid a penance of 100 years separation.The invocation of Parvati’s blessing during the festival is believed to bring about continued marital bliss.Women dress up in their finest clothes and jewelry to worship the Goddess Parvati. They also get their hands decorated with henna, accompanied by the singing of special Teej festival songs. Swings are fixed to branches of large trees, and the women take turns to joyfully swing on them.But it differ state to state as per their view for which people rejoice and abide the festival in joyous manner.In general course in andhra pradesh people are giving more important to seetla pooja being our people were more superstitious to consult to the janiya and bhagat since they were the priest to our religion .Seetla and her seven sister deities are considered as goddesses of small pox and these rituals are performed to appease them, in order to protect themselves and cattle from all kinds of diseases. Unlike the festival of Seetla and Teej, Tulja is festival of sacrifices and offering by individual families of Banjara Tribe.
With warm Regards,
Naik -The Architect of Banjara Brothers
