How Teej Isn’t Just a Festival-It’s a Femininity Ritual
Charu Sharma | Jul 27, 2025, 20:25 IST
( Image credit : Freepik )
Teej is more than just a big party-it's a deep event of woman power, heart strength, and close ties between women. From putting on henna to fasting , each act shows off calm, charm, and strong spirit. This piece looks at how Teej mixes good looks, health, and deep thoughts, giving today's women a chance to stop, join up, and take back old ways as acts of love for self, not just for marriage tie. It's an ageless song to being a woman, in all its soft and strong parts.
Teej, seen as a true fest of no food and deep care, has deep worth not just in its rites. It's big among women in North India, mostly in places like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana. Teej is a show of being a woman, of strong will, of waiting, and of deep feeling. From wearing green bangles to putting on mehndi, from singing old songs to not eating all day-it's not only for giving thanks to Shiva and Parvati, it's a strong sign of taking in one's womanly power.
Teej is full of beauty acts - putting on mehndi, wearing bright green or leheriya sarees, and wearing glass bangles. They might look like plain old ways, but they mean a lot more. Mehndi is not just for show-it helps cool the body, eases stress, and holds deep meaning for many women. Like that, green bangles stand for growth, hope, and good times. In days when styles change fast, these old ways act like a firm hold, letting women stop, feel pretty, and see dressing up as a way of loving oneself, not just for showing off.
The no-food, no-water fast of Teej where ladies have zero food or drink all day is seen by some as just "for the man." Yet, for lots of women, specially those of today, it's more about a test of self-control, waiting, and mind clarity. Not eating stands for a kind of strong feeling-the skill to keep room for one's faith, check one's staying power, and look inside. It's a very own act that lots of women, even the ones not wed, take part in to show respect to the godly female force and to find clear thoughts in their own lives.
Sargi: the meal eaten before the sun comes up is not just about food before going without food at all. It's a time full of feeling, passed from moms to girls, often full of past tales, love, and soft knowing. Sharing a meal before a day of no talking and giving up parts of self helps make a group feel like one. Teej gets women close-moms, girls, pals who get ready, dress, do not eat, and even move to music together. In a world where women are always on the go, Teej stops the clock, making holy spots for close ties and old wisdom to mix. It’s a time to joy in being together as women, not just about love with a partner.
One of the loveliest views at Teej is women in groups, forming rings, swinging, and dancing to old songs told from one to another over many years. These are not just acts to fill the gaps - they are real shows of deep feelings. These old songs talk about missing, love, being free, and holy love. For a lot of women, more so in strict homes, events like Teej are rare times when they can show their true selves. In those swings and dances, they find deep relief. In those songs, they find unity. Teej lets them share feelings in ways they often can't in everyday life.
While Shiva is key in Teej tales, the real star is Parvati-who thought, did not eat, and held on for years to get her true love. Teej, in many ways, is a song to her strong heart, not just her love life. For today's women facing break-ups, waiting, or just learning to trust their way, Teej stands as a sign of hope and self-growth. It’s a deep nudge that softness and might can live together. That picking love does not make one weak-waiting with pride is a show of force.
So in conclusion : In a world that loves to be busy, Teej shines as a time when women choose to be and not just do. It's more than just following faith-it's about taking back what it means to be a woman, finding joy in rest, and honoring their true power. You can mark it by not eating, dancing, putting on mehndi, or just being with women who lift you up. Keep in mind: Teej is your own special tradition. It's your time to stop. It's your deep woman nature showing its full beauty.
1. The Art of Personal Expression: How Mehndi, Bangles, and Leheriya Define Identity
Mehandi
( Image credit : Pexels )
Teej is full of beauty acts - putting on mehndi, wearing bright green or leheriya sarees, and wearing glass bangles. They might look like plain old ways, but they mean a lot more. Mehndi is not just for show-it helps cool the body, eases stress, and holds deep meaning for many women. Like that, green bangles stand for growth, hope, and good times. In days when styles change fast, these old ways act like a firm hold, letting women stop, feel pretty, and see dressing up as a way of loving oneself, not just for showing off.
2. Fasting Not Just for Love-But for Devotion and Patience
Woman praying
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
The no-food, no-water fast of Teej where ladies have zero food or drink all day is seen by some as just "for the man." Yet, for lots of women, specially those of today, it's more about a test of self-control, waiting, and mind clarity. Not eating stands for a kind of strong feeling-the skill to keep room for one's faith, check one's staying power, and look inside. It's a very own act that lots of women, even the ones not wed, take part in to show respect to the godly female force and to find clear thoughts in their own lives.
3. Sargi & Sisterhood: How Female Bonds Deepen Over Rituals
Sargi and pooja
( Image credit : Freepik )
Sargi: the meal eaten before the sun comes up is not just about food before going without food at all. It's a time full of feeling, passed from moms to girls, often full of past tales, love, and soft knowing. Sharing a meal before a day of no talking and giving up parts of self helps make a group feel like one. Teej gets women close-moms, girls, pals who get ready, dress, do not eat, and even move to music together. In a world where women are always on the go, Teej stops the clock, making holy spots for close ties and old wisdom to mix. It’s a time to joy in being together as women, not just about love with a partner.
4. Dancing in Circles, Singing to the Moon: The Liberation of Movement
Women dancing
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
One of the loveliest views at Teej is women in groups, forming rings, swinging, and dancing to old songs told from one to another over many years. These are not just acts to fill the gaps - they are real shows of deep feelings. These old songs talk about missing, love, being free, and holy love. For a lot of women, more so in strict homes, events like Teej are rare times when they can show their true selves. In those swings and dances, they find deep relief. In those songs, they find unity. Teej lets them share feelings in ways they often can't in everyday life.
5. Goddess Energy: Teej as a Celebration of Parvati’s Strength, Not Just Shiva’s Love
Lord shiv and parvati
( Image credit : Freepik )
While Shiva is key in Teej tales, the real star is Parvati-who thought, did not eat, and held on for years to get her true love. Teej, in many ways, is a song to her strong heart, not just her love life. For today's women facing break-ups, waiting, or just learning to trust their way, Teej stands as a sign of hope and self-growth. It’s a deep nudge that softness and might can live together. That picking love does not make one weak-waiting with pride is a show of force.
So in conclusion : In a world that loves to be busy, Teej shines as a time when women choose to be and not just do. It's more than just following faith-it's about taking back what it means to be a woman, finding joy in rest, and honoring their true power. You can mark it by not eating, dancing, putting on mehndi, or just being with women who lift you up. Keep in mind: Teej is your own special tradition. It's your time to stop. It's your deep woman nature showing its full beauty.