Jaipur’s Teej 2025: A Vibrant Celebration of Womanhood and Cultural Revival

Under the visionary leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, Jaipur’s Teej Festival has once again become a spectacular showcase of feminine empowerment, cultural resurgence, and progressive tradition.

“Yatra naryastu pujyante, ramante tatra devataḥ...”— Where women are worshipped, the gods reside.

This ancient Vedic saying resonated throughout Jaipur’s historic streets during the grand procession of Teej Mata, transforming the annual celebration into a glorious tribute to womanhood, creativity, and cultural pride.

The 2025 edition of Teej was more than just a festival — it became a movement. It was a celebration in which women politicians, priests, entrepreneurs, and the divine feminine embodying Teej Mata came together as the four pillars of a new cultural narrative in Rajasthan.

A Festival of Leadership, Ritual and Feminine Spirit

Held on July 27–28, this year’s Teej festivities were distinguished not only by their splendour but also by their message. Led by Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Diya Kumari, the celebration reflected a profound shift — women were no longer mere spectators but the creators and central figures of the event.

In a historic first in 298 years, women priests performed the sacred aarti of Teej Mata. Female entrepreneurs inaugurated the Teej Fair, while women-designed cultural tableaux brightened the city’s streets, transforming tradition into an innovative celebration.

A Heritage Reimagined

The royal procession of Teej Mata commenced from the Zenana Deorhi of the City Palace, passing through Tripolia Gate, Chhoti Chaupad, Chogan Stadium, and concluding at Pondrik Udyan. It was a vibrant display of Rajasthan’s cultural richness, with ornately decorated elephants, camels, horses, royal buggies, and scores of folk performers — many of whom were women.

Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari participated in the grand aarti at Chhoti Chaupad, sharing the stage with Governor Haribhau Bagde, Speaker Vasudev Devnani, and Uttarakhand’s Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj, amidst both domestic and international visitors.

Lahariya and the Colours of Empowerment

Among the highlights were the stunning women’s tableaux, where women in colourful lahariya saris balanced sacred pots on their heads as they danced and sang through the streets. These displays were poetic expressions of devotion, tradition, and empowerment.

Traditional Rajasthani performances like Kalbeliya, Ghoomar, Chari, Kachhi Ghodi, puppetry, and Hela Khyal infused the procession with the vibrant musical and rhythmic spirit of Rajasthan, enchanting international tourists who responded with spontaneous applause.

The Historic ‘Maha Aarti’

A momentous first, the ‘Maha Aarti’ of Teej Mata was performed at Chhoti Chaupad amidst showers of flower petals and regal band music. The ceremony was broadcast live across over 200 public screens across Rajasthan, making this spiritual spectacle accessible to all.

Adding a regal touch, Padmanabh Singh of the former Jaipur royal family performed the aarti at Tripolia Gate, symbolising the unity of tradition and inclusiveness.

Pondrik Park: A Hub of Culture and Women-led Enterprise

The procession’s final stop, Pondrik Udyan, was transformed into a lively hub of culture and enterprise. A vibrant Teej Fair ran across both days, featuring over 15 stalls showcasing handicrafts, lahariya textiles, terracotta, mirror-work art, and eco-friendly home products arranged by local women entrepreneurs.

Each evening, from 8 to 9 pm, Pondrik Park hosted a cultural extravaganza, including Terahtali bhajans, Ghoomar, Kalbeliya and Bhawai dances, Kathak performances, and soulful renditions by female folk singers. With swings, henna stations, and traditional cuisine, Pondrik Park became a festive space celebrating Rajasthan’s living traditions.

A Cultural Revolution, Not Just a Festival

The 2025 Teej celebration, under Diya Kumari’s leadership, demonstrated that tourism, tradition, and empowerment are mutually enriching. It was not merely a tribute to heritage but a cultural manifesto — proving that tradition can evolve while remaining authentic, and that rituals, when inclusive, mirror a modern social consciousness.

This year’s Teej in Jaipur did more than honour Teej Mata; it celebrated every woman as an embodiment of faith, strength, and beauty. It echoed a powerful truth: where women are revered, culture flourishes.