The Name “Hariyali”: The word “Hariyali” literally translates to “greenery”. This festival is named Hariyali Teej as it is celebrated during the monsoon season when the surroundings are filled with lush greenery.
Significance of Green: On Hariyali Teej, women often dress in green clothes, wear green bangles, and apply green mehndi designs as a symbol of growth, harmony, and freshness. It is also a representation of the greenery of the monsoon season.
People often mix up Hariyali Teej and Hartalika Teej because their traditions are pretty similar, but they are celebrated a month apart. Let’s dive deeper and understand more.
Hariyali Teej is a special festival in the Hindu calendar. It happens on the third day of the brighter half of the moon (Shukla Paksha) during the month of Sawan. This festival celebrates the love story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to the legends, Goddess Parvati had to be born 107 times and devote herself to Lord Shiva in each life, before he accepted her as his wife in her 108th life. That’s why she is sometimes called ‘Teej Mata’. This festival is celebrated all over India, with a big fanfare in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
So, what are the three types of Teej that Hindu women celebrate?
Well, there are three main Teej festivals during the months of Sawan and Bhadrapada. These are Hariyali Teej (August 19), Hartalika Teej (September 18), and Kajri Teej (September 2). Each festival is super important for married women. They fast for the whole day, dress up in traditional clothes, apply henna on their hands, and pray for their husband’s long life. Sometimes, unmarried girls also join in to pray for a good life partner.
So, when is Hariyali Teej in 2024?
Mark your calendars! Hariyali Teej is on August 07, which is a Saturday, and just two days before Naag Panchami.
But how is Hariyali Teej different from Hartalika Teej?
Although Hariyali Teej and Hartalika Teej have similar rituals, they are celebrated for different reasons and at different times. Hariyali Teej celebrates the love between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, while Hartalika Teej marks the day when Goddess Parvati’s friends kidnapped her to save her from being married to Lord Vishnu. Instead, she continued her devotion to Lord Shiva in the forest and eventually, they got married.
So, how do people celebrate Hariyali Teej?
Hariyali Teej is a big deal for Hindu women in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. It is also known as Chhoti Teej or Shravan Teej. On this day, married women go to their parent’s house and receive presents like clothes, jewelry, and make-up from their mothers and mothers-in-law. They also dress up in their best traditional clothes, decorate their hands with henna, and wear bangles and other jewelry. They spend the day fasting and praying to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for a happy married life. They break their fast the next day before sunrise with soaked black gram and cucumber. After that, everyone enjoys a big, yummy meal together.
Traditional Songs and Dances: One of the highlights of this festival is the traditional singing and dancing. Women gather together and perform folk dances, often on swings that are set up under trees. They also sing traditional Teej songs, which narrate the tale of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s love and devotion to each other.
Special Sweets: An array of special sweets and delicacies are prepared and shared during this festival. Ghewar, a special disc-shaped sweet, is one of the most popular treats during Teej.
Different between Hariyali Teej & Hartalika Teej:
While Hariyali Teej celebrates the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, Hartalika Teej is about the lengths Parvati went to, to be with Shiva. On Hartalika Teej, clay idols of Shiva and Parvati are made and worshipped for marital bliss and the well-being of their families.
Kajri Teej: Unlike Hariyali and Hartalika Teej which are celebrated by both married and unmarried women, Kajri Teej, also known as Badi Teej, is primarily celebrated by married women for the well-being of their husbands.
Community Celebrations: Teej festivals are not just family events, but they also bring communities together. Processions are often held in cities, featuring beautifully decorated elephants, camels, and performers.
Remember, these festivals vary regionally across India, but the common thread is the celebration of love, devotion, and the vibrancy of life. They give us a glimpse into the rich tapestry of traditions and cultures that make up this diverse country.
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