Hariyali Teej: A celebration of

devotion
 What are the different types of Teej?

Teej is a vibrant and joyous festival celebrated by women in various parts of India. This auspicious occasion
is marked by fasting, feasting, and numerous traditional rituals. Teej is not just a single festival, but a
collection of different types of Teej celebrated throughout the year. The three main types of Teej festival are
Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej.

1.Hariyali Teej: 6th August 2023

2. Kajari Teej: 23rd August 2023
3. Hartalika Teej: 8th September 2023
. Hariyali Teej

Hariyali Teej, also known as Shravana Teej, is celebrated during the monsoon season, specifically in the month of Shravana.
This Teej is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Women dress up in green attire, adorn themselves
with green bangles, and indulge in swing rides decorated with flowers.

Hariyali Teej marks the honour of goddess Parvati and

lord Shiva. It is said that on this auspicious day, Lord
Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati as his wife. That is why
Goddess Parvati is also known as 'Teej Mata'. Hariyali
Teej is a much-awaited festival for women and is
majorly celebrated in North India- Rajasthan, Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. In
Punjab, Hariyali Teej is known as Teeyan, and in
Rajasthan, it is known as Shingara Teej. 
For Hariyali Teej, women typically wear green-colored outfits,
symbolizing the lush greenery of the monsoon season. They
pair their attire with green bangles, bindis, and earrings, which
are considered auspicious. The green color represents fertility,
prosperity, and new beginnings.
 HOW HARIYALI TEEJ IS
CELEBRATED?

On this auspicious festival of Hariyali Teej, married women are given shindhara, a puja set consisting of traditional costumes, bangles, henna,
sindur and sweets from their in-laws. This shindhara ritual is considered one of the most important among all other rituals. According to
legend, a woman can keep her husband safe from all evil by wearing all 16 adornments. This tradition of shindhara is very important for the
newlyweds. On Hariyali Teej, first of all, women wake up early in the morning and take a bath and wear green coloured lehenga or saree. They
adorn themselves with jewellery and apply henna on their hands and feet, and some even write the name of their husband or fiancé on their
hands. Then they perform pujas, bhajans, chant mantras and seek blessings from Lord Shiva and Teej Mata (Goddess Parvati) for the long life
of their husbands and married life. On this day, women are given freedom and enjoy the day to the fullest by singing, dancing and swinging on
‘jhoolas’ hanging from the branches of Banyan trees or Vat Vriksha. One of the important rituals is the 'Nirjala Vrat', where women observe a
strict fast, during which they are not allowed to drink even water and can break the fast only after worshipping the moon. Many cuisines are
prepared on this day, along with traditional sweets and delicacies like Ghevar, Malpua and Kheer, which are first offered to the deities and then
enjoyed by all.
 . Kajari Teej

Kajari Teej is celebrated during the Krishna Paksha of the Bhadrapada month. It is also known as Badi Teej. This Teej is
dedicated to the worship of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. On this day, women sing traditional songs and exchange gifts
with each other. The festival is characterized by the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan

Kajari Teej is celebrated with great

enthusiasm in Rajasthan. Women dress up
in traditional Rajasthani attire, such as
lehengas and cholis, adorned with intricate
mirror work and embroidery. They
accessorize their outfits with traditional
Rajasthani jewelry, including heavy
necklaces, bangles, and anklets.
Hartalika Teej

Hartalika Teej falls on the Tritiya Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the Bhadrapada month. It is celebrated to honor the reunion of
Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Women observe a rigorous fast and perform special prayers to seek marital bliss and
happiness. This Teej is primarily celebrated in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand

Hartalika Teej witnesses women wearing vibrant

sarees or salwar suits in shades of red and green.
Red symbolizes marital bliss and love, while
green represents fertility and prosperity. Women
complement their outfits with gold jewelry,
including necklaces, earrings, and bangles.
 What are the traditional rituals and
customs associated with Teej?
Teej is a festival that is deeply rooted in traditions and customs. Women
observe a fast on this auspicious day to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva
and Goddess Parvati for the well-being and longevity of their husbands.
The fast is broken only after sighting the moon. The rituals associated with
Teej vary from region to region, but some common customs are followed
across the country.

One of the main rituals of Teej is the preparation of a special dish called
"Ghewar." Ghewar is a sweet delicacy made from flour, ghee, and sugar
syrup. It is a must-have during Teej celebrations and is enjoyed by
everyone.
Another important ritual is the application of mehndi. Women
decorate their hands and feet with intricate mehndi designs. The
designs range from traditional patterns to modern and trendy designs.
Applying mehndi is considered auspicious and is believed to bring
prosperity and good luck.

Women also participate in various cultural activities like singing folk

songs, dancing, and performing traditional rituals. The celebrations
are filled with joy, laughter, and a sense of togetherness.