Submitted by: Manan Agrawal
The tradition of the Tesu-Jhanji is rooted in a captivating story from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. At the heart of this tale is Barbarik (also known as Tesu), the grandson of Bhima and the son of Ghatotkacha.
Known for his bravery, Barbarik learned the art of warfare from his mother and was so formidable that he claimed he could end the great war of the Mahabharata in just one minute if he fought alone. Lord Shiva, impressed by his prowess, gifted him three special arrows, while Lord Agni, the God of Fire, provided him with a unique bow.
Eager to witness the epic battle, Barbarik sought his mother’s permission to attend, promising he would fight for the weaker side if he participated. As he made his way to the battlefield, Krishna, intrigued by Barbarik’s reputation, disguised himself as a Brahmin to test his strength. When Krishna asked how long it would take Barbarik to finish the war solo, he confidently replied it would only take a minute. This astonished Krishna, especially since Barbarik was armed with just three arrows.
Barbarik then explained the extraordinary powers of his arrows. The first would mark everything he wanted to destroy, the second would identify what he wished to save, and the third would eliminate all marked by the first or unmarked by the second-after which, the arrows would return to his quiver. To demonstrate, Krishna challenged Barbarik to tie all the leaves from the tree they were standing under.
As Barbarik concentrated, Krishna slyly placed a leaf under his foot. When Barbarik released the first arrow, it marked all the leaves, including the one hidden by Krishna’s toe. Realising this, Barbarik understood that Krishna was hiding something, and when Krishna lifted his foot, the arrow marked that leaf too.
Astonished by Barbarik’s abilities, Krishna recognised that his presence could tip the balance of the war.
He explained that by promising to support the weaker side, Barbarik had unwittingly created a dilemma-whichever side he joined would become stronger, leading to the destruction of the other. To prevent this, Krishna, still in disguise, requested Barbarik’s head as a charitable offering. Though shocked, Barbarik agreed, provided that his two wishes would be granted: to witness the war and to marry the beautiful Jhanji.
With a heavy heart, Barbarik allowed Krishna to sever his head. Krishna then took it to Kurukshetra, placing it on three poles so that Barbarik could watch the battle unfold. His sacrifice also ensured that he would be united with Jhanji. This poignant story is commemorated each year on Sharad Purnima night, when the Tesu is symbolically married off to Jhanji in many homes, especially in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It’s a beautiful reminder of love, sacrifice, and the enduring power of tradition.
Tesu is a charming doll made of clay, standing on three legs to symbolise Barbarik’s head, which Krishna placed on three sticks so he could witness the epic Mahabharata war. You can recognise the doll by its playful laughing eyes and the paan-stained mouth. With a royal-looking moustache, Tesu holds a red parrot in one hand and a hookah in the other. It’s quite a striking figure! On the other hand, Jhanjhi is a colourful earthen pot, adorned with holes and lit from within by a candle or lamp.
During the festival of Navratri, boys worship the Tesu for ten days, while girls honour the Jhanjhi. praying for a good husband. On the tenth day, known as Dussehra, the excitement reaches its peak.
Children wrap the Tesu and Jhanjhi in a cloth and joyfully sing songs throughout the day visiting door to door.
About Manan:
Manan is an illustrator and visual storyteller currently pursuing Animation and Digital Media at UID, Gandhinagar. His work draws inspiration from Indian myths, culture, and traditions. Manan aims to reinterpret and reintroduce these rich narratives to contemporary audiences, making them more accessible and engaging.