Banjara festival Teej gaining popularity

Banjara festival Teej gaining popularity
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Highlights

Gore Banjara community people from all parts of Adilabad district and neighbouring Maharashtra throng the place. On an average, at least 5,000 would visit the place. To provide food to the visiting pilgrims, on an average 80 quintals of rice is cooked per day. 

Boath: Banjara women celebrate nine-day Teej festival at Sikhar Kailash Tekdi in the mandal during Rakhi Pournami to the last day of Sravana month (new moon day) wishing that the farmers should reap a bumper harvest, everyone lead a healthy life without afflicted by seasonal diseases and the girls should get the best life partners. Kailash Tekdi is reached by trekking 10 km through forest area from Nigini, which is located on the state’s border with Maharashtra.

According to the legend, Lord Siva appeared in the dream of Sant Limbaji Maharaj, a resident of Nagini, and asked him to build a temple and sought offerings Dhoopa, Deepa and Naivaidyam. Limbaji found a Shiva Linga in the forest area and built a temple for the deity. He also established a cow shed and serving the deity. The place where the Siva Linga was found was named as Sikhar Kailash Tekdi.

For the past 15 years the Teej festival is being celebrated. Annually, the number of pilgrims taking part in the festival is on the rise. On an average, 2,000 women are taking part in the festival dance. The Banjara women dance rhythmically to the beating of drums sporting colourful attires balancing baskets on their heads and dance in a circular fashion.

Gore Banjara community people from all parts of Adilabad district and neighbouring Maharashtra throng the place. On an average, at least 5,000 would visit the place. To provide food to the visiting pilgrims, on an average 80 quintals of rice is cooked per day.

The Banjaras appeal to government officials to provide pucca road to Kailash Tekdi and provide other basic amenities. The devotees appeal for government recognition to the Teej festival.

By Saikiran Jadhav

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