Teej has been a delightful festival for me since my childhood days when mom would dress me up in beautiful lehenga and anklets. All the elders in the family gave us neg to get mehendi, bangles and bindis. The markets in the Delhi looked so alive and shimmering with the bangle stores and the long queues for the mehendiwallah who have their best time starting from teej to wedding season ending in February (barring only the shraadh period where business gets dull)
I am a huge fan of anklets..I have more than 30 pairs of them- some with stones, some with naqashi work and some which weigh more than 750 gms in all (yes my bridal anklet).
And today is my first significant teej- my first one after wedding and it holds a special place in my heart. I am missing out on the fervour back home- where my moms have got presents for me-jewellery,clothes,bangles, mehendis and so many blessings. I am missing out getting mehendi done while bargaining to get rate of Rs.50 per hand. I am missing eating the shopkeepers head to get my bangles matched perfectly as I want. I am missing looking at the sweet shops overflowing with ghevar, pheni, matthi, namakpaare and offcourse people.
Last year was also good as it was my first teej after engagement- so I packed all the gifts for my mom and also wrote a small couplet as I was mising my fiance who was in Auckland that time -
Rimjhim rimjhim saawan aaya,
Saawan upar lage ri jhadi,
Jo Ghar hote Shaam hamare-hum bhee jhoole dalvave re sakhi
I miss the yesteryears when dad would make a swing for us in the aangan and we would take turns.
Teej is festival which marks the reunion of Maa Parvati and Lord Shiva after hundred years of separtion. This day young girls pray for a good husbnd by doing Shiv ji pooja. Married girls pray for their husband’s long life, wellness and togetherness. (Reema/Poonam/Sakhi- Please don’t get an idea to write about how biased we Indians are as we have fasts and rituals for only males’ well being -LOLZ) 
I have a fast today on Teej and I am celebrating it with all my little efforts I can manage here in foreign land. Well for starters – my mom in law (such a sweetheart she is) asked me to go for shopping and empty my hubby’s pockets – which I did on Sunday….I got mehendi on my hands- On my right hand I created my childish drawings and wrote my hubby’s name in hindi…now for my other hand I called SOS and my hubby came to the rescue- he did his own Modern Art which even he can’t comprehend!!! He also wrote my name in hindi..so my mehendi was done with the sweetest gesture! This morning on the D-Day I wore a cream and golden suit to work and some pearl jewellery my moms gave me……The Kiwis are going gaga over me (I am writing this in lunch time)…-Compliments include – Gorgeous, Royal, Princess, Fairy, Elegant and so many more…(thanks Reema and Harshasrisri also for those lovely compliments earlier)……..they are so much interested in the story behind the festival, my mehendi, my toe rings/anklets and sindoor I am wearing.
Well evening festivities will include- Shiv ji and Parvati maa’s prayers. It is important to use Kadhaai (wok???) today so I am gonna make Pooris, Gulgulas (doughnuts/malpuas like), Matar Mushroom and Shahi Paneer.
I am missing my moms who have pampered me every day and not just on Teej…I am missing the fervour, the delightful vibes and yes I am missing my homeland. (Ironical today I am applying for extension of Visa)
For Sakhi - your wish is my command
O Delhi- I miss you and the overcrowded markets…… 
This is my space with some personal rants that I am sure you must agree sometimes and nod your head and say -'Same Pinch'....loaded with some short stories, some thoughts...and lots of Zing and Zest 
Posted by Sakhi on August 4, 2008 at 16:18
Ouch, do i come up as a feminist in my post nd thoughts!!
Well i love anklets too! and in Gujarat we have “gauri Vrat” which is also done for “parvati and shiva”, which young girls do where they eat food with no salt at all for five days and this is to be done for atleast five to seven years.. when i was five i started this vrat and did for 10 years! it is done to gt a good husband
i am lucky to get a good hubby (prolly the best 
)! But a lot of girls who did the same vrat with me were not so lucky! 
I am happy that you enjoy doing these things.. the bottom line of anything for me is that one should be at peace with inner self and happy in whatever he/she does… it should not be forced!
post a snap of your mehendi wala hands for us, would love to see!
Posted by Reema on August 5, 2008 at 05:21
I second Sakhi’s thoughts. Its not that I’m some ultra feminist or something but what I believe is each to his own. There should be no forcing to follow some traditions just cuz one is supposed to. Which in my case is the belief that such traditions should be two sided.
Nice to know u had such a lovely time. But I guess there is nothing like celebrating an Indian festival in India.
P.S. Hey link my name to my blog! Thanks!
Posted by Manoj on August 5, 2008 at 14:43
Wishing you lots of happiness on your first Teej
I love Diwali the most! I love our culture 
While you cook all kinds of sweets there, lemme have my daal sabji 
I miss India too
Posted by Manoj on August 5, 2008 at 14:44
BTW, you have a tag in my blog
Posted by Mahak on August 5, 2008 at 18:08
@ Sakhi and Reema- SOORYYY DIDI AB HUM NAI KAREGE JOKE,LEKIN MEHAK JOKE NA KARE TO HO JAYEGI BORE…
it was a light hearted one liner girls…sorry if you took it so strongly……… You guys are quite clear in your perspectives..and that line was a jus light take on you….dearies…
wow good to know you ‘ve been keeping fasts from such young age..I started when I was in grade 9!
Yeah fasts and infact any religious sentiments shouldn’t be imposed…..aww I miss Delhi and my mums…
Posted by Mahak on August 5, 2008 at 18:10
@ Reema – soowwwiiee dear…and am so glad you tagged a pic of yours finally….ummm you look different then what I perceived…….Yeah theres no fun celebrating here-everything is sookha sookha!!
Yes I will be editing the post to add your blog’s link..actually I wrote this in a hurry in office na..that’s why didnt do much editing vediting….
all cool na?
Posted by Mahak on August 5, 2008 at 18:11
@ Manoj- Oh hell I miss India’s street food and mum’s sweet dishes…..
I will work on your tag this week….no worries-its my top priority 
Posted by Reema on August 6, 2008 at 02:33
@Mahak Ohhh its ok dear!!
I’m curious to know what u had perceived about my looks?? tell me?
Posted by Suda on August 6, 2008 at 21:11
I wish I will soon have you-know-who’s hands to try my designs and modern art
India is great and our festivals too. Hi to Anupam Bhai
Cheers
Suda
Posted by dinu on August 6, 2008 at 21:18
eeeeeeeeek looks good
Posted by harshasrisri on August 7, 2008 at 00:31
I love traditional dresses and when u gave a brief description abt ur dress, i could only gape in wonder imagining it! in these days when an Indian woman is considering casuals as best clothing, its good to see that Indian Tradition is getting an applause in Aukland!
U made me go drool about the food just by the mention! However, Bangalore, where i stay is, second to none in filling up your stomach and making your tastebuds at the same time. wanna a give it a try?
PS:hearty Congrats on your first Teej after wedding!
Posted by Sakhi on August 7, 2008 at 00:35
hey i took it lightly only… no offence taken!
And you are sooooo sweet to put your mehndiwala hands! u know, its said that if you get good colour, it means that u are loved soooooooooo much! and your colour has come out well!
Posted by Suda on August 7, 2008 at 22:27
Hey Fruity, I think you forgot to put “http://” before your link of iPOD in left side bar
Plz correct it.
It should be “http://www.apple.com/ipodclassic/”
but you have put “www.apple.com/ipodclassic/” Am I right dear?
Posted by Mahak on August 8, 2008 at 19:55
@ Suda- thanks…dont worry you will practice your modern art soooon
Anupam bhai says Hi tooo lolz
Posted by Mahak on August 8, 2008 at 19:56
@ Dinu– eeeeeek thanks
Posted by Mahak on August 8, 2008 at 19:57
@ Harshasrisri- I love ethnic wear…though I havent got many here as Auckland is very windy and Indian dresses dont go with it…..I try to wear them on get togethers and all….I love indian food tooo…and thanks for all your wishes
Posted by Mahak on August 8, 2008 at 19:58
@ Sakhi- thanks dearie! my mehendi always comes dark -sometimes it gets black-then I hate it…..i like it in dark orange shade only….
And thanks for forgiving me…
Posted by Mahak on August 8, 2008 at 20:00
@ Reema- Oh about your looks- hmmm I thought of you having round face…and curly hair…………I dont knwo why ..but I always post a caricature in my mind with people I talk to and havent met at all…
Posted by Mahak on August 8, 2008 at 20:01
@ Suda- thanks a lot for spotting that error in iPOD link…
BTW I did visit your blog the other day and found so many references on me!! I am still not sure what to comment…
btw I too shall be waiting for a dedicated post
lolz…
Posted by Suda on August 9, 2008 at 06:18
Well, dedicated posts come out when I get needed input. I know Sakhi through and through now. So I can dedicate one tp her. But in case of you, I can know much without getting a black eye now
U r out of words for comment? thats not good!!!
Posted by Mahak on August 9, 2008 at 17:00
@ Suda- Ah..inputs….see my life is an oen book on wordpress -I have talked everything from my chidhood pranks, to my college days to my dating -almost everyhting..theres nothing more……
And BTW real talent is when you can write bokks n books on a person without knowing them…
hehhhe ok enough- I was just pulling your leg for writing a post for me…………so chilll!
Posted by Nikhil on August 11, 2008 at 15:56
Wow!! That’s so amazing!
You do look pretty, especially in the new pic on your facebook! I’d never heard of Teej before… Interesting!
Posted by pr3rna on August 12, 2008 at 22:05
There is no better place to celebrate teej than in Delhi and it is getting better every year. Nice to know you celebrated teej in NZ. You get Mehndi in NZ? Matar mushroom for teej
Did you miss Ghewar and Pheni?
Posted by Mahak on August 12, 2008 at 23:09
@ Nikhil- thanks dear! Teej s a north indian festival……probably thats why ou havent heard of it
Posted by Mahak on August 12, 2008 at 23:11
@ Prerna- Oh Delhi- and how I miss the life there….wow… Yeah we get everyhting in NZ. Yep matar mushroom as my hubby likes it….
Naah I didnt miss Ghevar and pheni a lot as I don’t have a sweet tooth..
PLS PLS Pretty pls say you’e a delhiite….ALmost every ones a Bengluruean in blogosphere!!!
Posted by Poonam on August 12, 2008 at 23:18
I have come to your blog after a while.
And my feminism certainly doesnot oppose anyone following their beliefs.
Though I dont have any significant memories of teej. I don’t like Mehendi, bangles or bindi. At most I can do with bracelet. But I like to see others wearing mehendi and bangles.
And yes, Delhi is one of best places to celebrate teej. But your mehndi is certainly the sweetest gesture. Touch wood!
May you have a great married life, girl!
Posted by Mahak on August 12, 2008 at 23:21
@ Poonam – Oh thanks a lot…..I wish you happinss too…
Well I thought of you as a very traditional name -I dont know why-may be my halo effect for you wrt your name….its quite Indian and traditional na! Well whats in a name duh??
I love all the Indian stuff-bangles and all that glittery things….i have so many bangles back home- I miss all that!!!
Are you from Delhi????????? SAY YES PRETTY PLS
Posted by pr3rna on August 13, 2008 at 02:49
I am a hardcore Delhiite Mahak. And I love Delhi life
Posted by Poonam Sharma on August 13, 2008 at 19:13
Yes, I am from Delhi.
And my name is common and traditional but my outlook is not.
Posted by omnamohshiva on November 23, 2008 at 03:33
Teej sure is a wonderful festival with a lot of excitement and fun, what with the mehendi, bangles, bindis and puja of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati on this auspicious day !
Lord Shiva is one who gets very easily pleased….he exhibits total compassion for all his devotees and we are indeed fortunate to be looked after so very well by our Lord Shiva . So go on and just forget all of your worries and insecurities, revel in Shiva Bhakti………lets begin our journey !