Hariyali Teej, also known as Shravana Teej or Chhoti Teej, is an exciting Hindu festival celebrated with enthusiasm, especially by married women and young girls. It falls on the Shravana month in the Hindu calendar, usually in July or August, during the monsoon season in India.
This festival is dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, a beloved divine couple in Hindu mythology. It celebrates their reunion, symbolizing love and devotion between partners.
“Hariyali” means “greenery” or “lush green,” signifying nature’s rejuvenation during the monsoon. Women wear green clothes and accessories on this day.
Hariyali Teej involves various customs and rituals. Women wake up early, take a ceremonial bath, and wear green clothes. They observe a day-long fast called “Nirjala Vrat” without food and water, seeking blessings for their husbands’ well-being and a happy married life.
Besides its religious significance, Hariyali Teej is a festival of joy and togetherness. Women in northern India create swings adorned with flowers and leaves, singing traditional Teej songs while swinging together. It becomes a lively celebration of love and happiness.
The Rituals of Hariyali Teej
- The festival of Hariyali Teej is celebrated with great enthusiasm and involves several rituals that hold significance for married women and young unmarried girls. Here are the key rituals observed during Hariyali Teej:
- Preparations before the festival: Before the arrival of Hariyali Teej, women prepare for the festival by cleaning and decorating their homes. They shop for new clothes, especially green sarees or suits, as green symbolizes prosperity and happiness.
- Snan (Bathing) and Sankalp (Vow): On the morning of Hariyali Teej, women wake up early and take a ritual bath to purify themselves. After the bath, they wear the green attire and take a solemn vow or sankalp to observe the fast and perform the puja with dedication and devotion.
- Creating the Puja Setup: Women set up a sacred space for the puja at home or visit temples. They create clay idols or images of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesha, representing the divine family.
- Offerings and Decorations: The idols are adorned with flowers, especially white flowers like Dhatura, and traditional sweets are offered to the deities. Women also apply sindoor (vermilion) to the idols and offer 16 Shringar (decorations) to Goddess Parvati, which includes bangles, bindi, mehndi (henna), etc.
- Vrat Katha (Storytelling and Worship): Women gather in groups and listen to the vrat katha or the narrative of Hariyali Teej, which includes the stories of Goddess Parvati’s devotion and her reunion with Lord Shiva. They offer their prayers and seek blessings for a happy and prosperous married life.
- Swings and Songs: A significant part of the celebrations includes women singing traditional Teej songs and enjoying swings adorned with flowers and colorful decorations. The swings symbolize the joy and playfulness of the festival.
- Evening Aarti and Prayers: In the evening, a special Aarti (ritual of waving lamps) is performed for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Women light diyas (oil lamps) and perform aarti with devotion, expressing their reverence to the divine couple.
- Feasting: After the day-long fast, women break their fast in the evening by consuming a special meal, which typically includes sweets like kheer, malpua, and other traditional dishes.
The rituals of Hariyali Teej vary across different regions and communities, but the essence of the festival remains the same – to celebrate the bond of love and devotion between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and seek blessings for a blissful married life. The festival fosters a sense of unity among women as they come together to celebrate, share stories, and strengthen their bonds of friendship and sisterhood.
Hariyali Teej Celebration across Regions
Hariyali Teej is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor across various regions of India. While the essence of the festival remains the same, different regions have their unique ways of observing and celebrating Hariyali Teej. Here’s a glimpse of how the festival is celebrated in different parts of the country:
1. North India:
– In states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab, Hariyali Teej is a major festival for married women. They observe a day-long fast and perform special puja rituals to seek blessings for the well-being and long life of their husbands.
– Women wear bright green traditional attires and adorn themselves with intricate henna (mehndi) designs and jewelry.
– Swings are an integral part of the celebration. Women, young and old, enjoy swinging on decorated jhulas (swings) under trees or in community parks. Traditional folk songs are sung during this time.
– Processions with beautifully adorned idols of Goddess Parvati are taken out in various cities and towns.
2. Rajasthan:
– In Rajasthan, Hariyali Teej holds special significance. The Teej Mata procession is a grand affair, where beautifully decorated idols of Goddess Parvati are carried in palanquins.
– Cultural events, dance performances, and competitions are organized to celebrate the festival.
– The Teej festival is a time for women to showcase their traditional Rajasthani attire, including colorful lehengas, cholis, and intricate jewelry.
3. Gujarat:
– In Gujarat, the festival is celebrated as “Hartalika Teej.” Married women observe fasts and pray for the prosperity and longevity of their husbands.
– The day before Hartalika Teej, women gather to perform rituals and create clay idols of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. These idols are immersed in water bodies on the day of the festival.
– The festival is marked by folk dances, Garba performances, and other cultural events.
4. Bihar and Jharkhand:
– Hariyali Teej is celebrated with great fervor in Bihar and Jharkhand. Women dress up in traditional attire and take part in community gatherings and fairs.
– Folk songs, dance performances, and cultural programs are organized to celebrate the occasion.
– Married women receive gifts and blessings from their parents and in-laws.
5. Maharashtra:
– In Maharashtra, Hariyali Teej is known as “Shravani Teej” and is celebrated by married women who observe fasts and pray for the well-being of their husbands.
– Women wear green clothes and bangles, and they perform traditional rituals in temples or at home.
– Swings are an essential part of the celebration, and women enjoy swinging while singing traditional songs.
6. Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh:
– In these states, Hariyali Teej is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Women gather at temples to offer prayers and perform traditional rituals.
– Swing decorations, cultural events, and folk performances add to the festive spirit.
Overall, Hariyali Teej is a festival that showcases the rich cultural heritage of India and brings communities together in joyous celebrations. It is a time for women to strengthen their bonds and seek blessings for marital bliss and prosperity.
The Mahurat timings for Hariyali Teej on wednesday, august7, 2024
Tritiya Tithi Begins – August 06 | 10:22 AM in (United States)
Tritiya Tithi Ends – August 07 | 12:35 PM in (United States)
Please note that the timings mentioned above are based on the UAE time zone.
Conclusion
Hariyali Teej is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated with joy and devotion by married women and young girls. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the festival symbolizes love, unity, and the beauty of nature during the monsoon season. Through its rituals, puja, and swinging celebrations, Hariyali Teej fosters a sense of togetherness and strengthens the bonds of sisterhood among women. It is a time of prayer, fasting, and merriment, invoking blessings for a happy and prosperous married life.
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