Teej: Swings, Songs, and Sisterhood
Primarily celebrated in North India, especially Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, Teej is a festival dedicated to the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. For women, it’s a time of immense joy and sisterhood. Dressed in their finest green
and red sarees, they gather to sing traditional songs, apply intricate mehndi, and swing on jhoolas (swings) tied to large trees. The festival is held over three days during the Hindu month of Shravan and celebrates marital bliss and the lush greenery brought by the monsoon. The sight of decorated swings hanging from ancient banyan trees is one of the most iconic images of this festive season.
Raksha Bandhan: The Bond of Protection
While celebrated nationwide, Raksha Bandhan falls during the monsoon month of Shravan, making it a cornerstone of the mid-year festive calendar. This beloved festival honours the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a rakhi, a decorative thread, on their brothers' wrists, symbolising their love and prayers for his well-being. In return, brothers offer gifts and a promise of protection. It’s a day that strengthens family ties, filled with sweets, new clothes, and get-togethers. Beyond its traditional roots, Raksha Bandhan has evolved to celebrate any protective, sibling-like bond, making it a deeply personal and universal occasion.
Onam: Kerala's Harvest Spectacle
Down south in Kerala, the monsoon culminates in the grand harvest festival of Onam. This ten-day extravaganza celebrates the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. Homes are decorated with intricate pookalams (floral carpets), each day adding a new layer of complexity and colour. The highlight is the Onam Sadya, a lavish vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf with over two dozen dishes. Another thrilling spectacle is the Vallam Kali, or snake boat races, where long, elegant boats rowed by dozens of men compete on Kerala's backwaters in a stunning display of teamwork and tradition. Onam is a festival of prosperity, unity, and cultural pride.
Janmashtami: Celebrating Krishna's Birth
Commemorating the birth of Lord Krishna, Janmashtami is celebrated with immense fervour across India, but nowhere more so than in Mathura and Vrindavan, his birthplace and childhood home. Temples are beautifully decorated, and devotees observe fasts, sing bhajans, and participate in midnight prayer services. In states like Maharashtra, the festival is marked by the Dahi Handi tradition. Groups of young men form human pyramids to break an earthen pot filled with curd, hung high above the streets, mimicking the playful antics of a young Krishna. It’s a festival of devotion, community, and playful energy.
Ganesh Chaturthi: The Arrival of the Elephant God
As the monsoon season wanes, Western India, particularly Maharashtra, erupts in the grand celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. This festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Homes and public spaces are adorned with magnificent pandals (temporary shrines) housing intricately crafted idols of the elephant-headed god. For ten days, the air is thick with the sound of drums, devotional songs, and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya!” The festival promotes community bonding, with cultural events and feasts organised at local pandals. It concludes with Visarjan, the emotional immersion of the idols in water bodies, symbolising Ganesha’s return to his celestial abode, taking with him the misfortunes of his devotees.
