Teeyan (), also known as Teeyan Da Teohar (trans: the festival of women) or

Teej Tīja, , literally meaning "third"—denoting the third day after the new moon when the monsoon begins as per the Hindu calendar—is a collective term for three Hindu List of Hindu festivals, festivals primarily dedicated to the mother goddess ...

, is a festival celebrated throughout

Punjab Punjab (; ; also romanised as Panjāb or Panj-Āb) is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia. It is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising areas of modern-day eastern Pakistan and no ...

which is dedicated to the onset of the

monsoon A monsoon () is traditionally a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation but is now used to describe seasonal changes in Atmosphere of Earth, atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with annu ...

and focuses on daughters sisters, and mothers.

Celebration

The festival is celebrated during the monsoon season from the third day of the lunar month of Sawan on the bright half, up to the full moon of Sawan (about 13 days), by women. Married women go to their maternal house to participate in the festivities.Alop Ho Raha Punjabi Virsa: Harkesh Singh KehalUnistar Books PVT Ltd In the past, it was traditional for women to spend the whole month of Sawan with their parents.

Gifts

Whether or not a married woman goes to her parents, brothers take a gift set to their sisters called a 'sandhara'. A sandhara includes a Punjabi Suit/

sari A sari (also called sharee, saree or sadi)The name of the garment in various regional languages include: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * is a drape (cloth) and a women's garment in the Indian subcontinent. It consists of an un-sti ...

, laddoo,

bangle A bangle is a traditionally rigid bracelet which is usually made of metal, wood, glass or plastic. These ornaments are worn mostly by women in the Indian subcontinent, Southeastern Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa. It is common to see a ...

mehndi Mehndi () is a form of temporary skin decoration using a paste created with henna. In the West, mehndi is commonly known as henna tattoo, although it is not a permanent tattoo. Mehndi is a popular form of body art in South Asia and resembl ...

(henna) and a swing. File:Boondi laddoo.JPG, Boondi laddoo File:"Bangles..jpg, Bangles File:Mehandi.jpg, Mehandi File:Shalwar kameez Colours.jpg, Punjabi suit File:Columpio.jpg, Swing

Giddha and Swings

The festival of Teeyan centers on girls and women getting together in the village green and tying swings to the trees. The festival gathers momentum in the Teeyan Giddha, which is performed to the singing of traditional Boliyan such as the one below. Punjabi:

''ਓੁੱਚੇ ਟਾਹਣੇ ਪੀਂਘ ਪਾ ਦੇ''
''ਜਿਥੇ ਆਪ ਹੁਲਾਰਾ ਆਵੇ''

Romanization:

''Uchay tahne peeng pa de''
''jithey aap hulara aavey''

Translation

''Hang my swing from a high tree branch ''
''where the swing moves by itself ''

In the past, the festival would last for as long as the girls wished ranging from a few days to four weeks. Girls would often gather to dance Giddha every day. The festival would close by the women performing the closing dance called 'Bhallho'. Bhallho or Ballo is performed by the women standing in two rows and dancing. This tradition of women getting together in villages has now become mostly extinct. Brar (2007) writing about his memories of the early twentieth century Punjab, recollects that fairs were organised for the Teeyan festivities. File:Haryali Teej.jpg, Woman celebrating Teeyan File:Gidha.jpg, Women singing Boliyan File:Giddha dance Teeyan Punjab Teej India 2.jpg, Giddha dance File:Teean 1.jpg, Teeyan Giddha File:Giddha dance Teeyan Punjab Teej India.jpg, Women performing Kikkli

Food

The food traditionally associated at Teeyan is: *

Kheer Kheer, khir or payasam is a pudding or porridge popular in the Indian subcontinent, usually made by boiling milk, sugar or jaggery, and rice. It can be additionally flavoured with dried fruits, nuts, cardamom and saffron. Instead of rice, ...

() is a rice pudding * Poorhi () is a type fried bread *

Halwa Halva (also halvah, halwa, halua, and other spellings; ) is a type of confectionery that is widely spread throughout the Middle East and North Africa, Eastern Europe and the Balkans, Central Asia, and South Asia. The name is used for a broad va ...

() *

Malpura Malpura is a town with municipality in Tonk district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Malpura is known for its Dadabadi, built by the Khartargach Sect of Shewtambar Jain in memory of 3rd Dada Gurudev Shri Jinkushalsurishwarji.Also known for its ...

* Gulgullay () which are made from jaggery syrup mixed with wheat flour and then made into balls, and then fried * Mandey () are made of wheat floor but the dough is thin. The flat mandey bread is not rolled out using a rolling pin but stretched with the hands and then placed on the back of both hands before being put on the griddle to bake.Alop ho riha Punjabi virsa - bhag dooja by Harkesh Singh Kehal Unistar Book PVT Ltd File:Punjab Da Halwa.jpg, Punjab da halwa File:Malpua- Indian sweet-dish.JPG, Malpura sweet-dish File:MalPua.JPG, Malpura File:Gulgula.jpg, Gulgule File:Kheer.jpg, Kheer

Observance

Punjabis consider Teeyan, also called Sawe, as a seasonal festival. It is celebrated especially in schools and colleges as the focus of the festival is often on young women. In recent years, there has been a revival of the festival. Teeyan gatherings are being held in villages and cities alike. However, the current trend is to hire banqueting halls, disc jockeys and singers. Politicians and celebrities sometimes attend such gatherings.Punjab News (12.08.2024) accessed 18.08.20

/ref> In some cases, teeyan gatherings take place in the village's open land. Women in the Punjabi diaspora organise Teeyan gatherings which provide an opportunity for women to preserve the Punjabi culture.

References

{{Commons category, Teeyan Festivals in India Punjabi festivals