The annual festival of Teej, considered the Bathukamma of Banjaras, is being celebrated with much pomp and gaiety at all tribal hamlets across the erstwhile undivided district from the beginning of the Telugu Aashadam month. All Banjara habitations are caught in a whir of activities, reverberating with dance and songs by unmarried girls.
Local residents apart, their relatives settled even in far-off places are also arriving to participate in the celebrations.
All Sevalal Maharaj mandirs have been illuminated for the purpose.
The nine-day festival has a special significance in Banjara culture.
Cultural significance
Generally, it is a prayer to God for a good monsoon and bountiful harvest. Unmarried adult girls grow wheat seedlings in new baskets and put on ‘manche’ (elevated platform) outside the residence of their community elder in the village for nine days. They water the seedlings three times a day, drawing water from local streams or wells.
“Banjaras believe if wheat grows lush green, it is auspicious. Unmarried girls pray to Sevalal Maharaj, Dandi and Mera Mayadi to find a good alliance. The festival is being celebrated for over 100 years now,” says Jadav Naik of Pangra village, who works for the Banjara TV.
For the immersion of Teej (baskets with wheat seedlings), the girls take permission of village elders and the baskets are immersed in rivers or streams after sacrificing lams or rams at the altar of Goddess Bhavani. They also prepare sweet “prasadam” with rice and jaggery (bellam) and distribute them after offering prayers.
