India is a country known for its vast diversity, various traditions, and a variety of cultures. Some of the customs, occasions, conventions and festivals have been followed by generations and continue to exist and hold profound relevance during current times. One such festival that is widely celebrated, especially in the Northern states of India, is Hariyali Teej. Hariyali Teej 2021 will be falling on 11th August 2021.
According to the Hindu calendar, Hariyali Teej falls on the third day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan or Saawan, which coincides with the monsoon season in India. As per the Gregorian calendar, this is during the months of July and August. As Shravan falls during the rainy season, there is lush greenery all around, which is why this occasion is known as Hariyali Teej. This festival is celebrated to cherish the abundance of greenery that the monsoon brings with it. The auspicious festival of Hariyali Teej is also known as Sawan Teej and Choti Teej. The propitious Hariyali Teej is one of the three Teej festivals celebrated in India; the others are- Kajari Teej and Hartalika Teej.
Married women observe the auspicious occasion of Hariyali Teej to seek marital bliss and contentment in their married life from the deities. This particular occasion is quite similar to Karva Chauth. This auspicious festival is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and her union with divine Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology and beliefs, Goddess Parvati took 108 births to prove her devotion and love for Lord Shiva until Lord Shiva agreed to marry her. Goddess Parvati wished to marry Lord Shiva, so she prayed and meditated continuously to show her devotion to Lord Shiva and accept her as his wife. This is why Goddess Parvati is also known as Teej Mata, and women worship her and Lord Shiva on this occasion. The Tritiya Day (Third day) of Shukla Paksha, now celebrated as Hariyali Teej, is considered holy and auspicious because it marks the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Married women offer prayers to the deities to protect their husbands from mishaps and for their husbands' long lives. It is commonly believed that Goddess Parvati blesses the married women's husbands with a long and healthy life. Married women also observe this day for their husbands' well-being and to be blissfully married for eternity. Many unmarried girls also observe this day to get a loving and caring husband. This auspicious occasion symbolises the richness, prosperity, contentment, and bliss of a couple's married life. Moreover, Hariyali Teej also indicates the significance and importance of the lush greenery and nature we witness after the monsoon rains. It symbolises bountiful nature's greenery around us. So, this occasion also becomes essential for thanking the deities for an abundant monsoon.
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Let's get to know the important rituals and practices associated with this auspicious occasion.
On this day, married women observe fast, i.e., Nirjala Vrat, for their husbands' wellness and long life. Nirjala Vrat means that the women who observe the fast not only avoid eating but they also don't drink water for the entire day. Both unmarried and married women can observe this fast. The day-long fast is broken after worshipping the Moon, and Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. In the evening, after worshipping the deities, women listen to the story behind Hariyali Teej. Women worship Goddess Parvati for the wellness, long life, and prosperity of their husbands. Hymns for the divine and supreme deities, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, are also sung.
The colour green is quite predominant in Hariyali Teej. On this auspicious day, married women wear new clothes, preferably green coloured clothes and bangles sent from their maternal home. As the Sawan month is closely associated with greenery, green colour is given prominence during this occasion. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are commonly believed to be very close to nature. Hence, the green colour becomes incredibly important for this occasion.
Married women are presented with Shringar items or embellishments like clothes, bangles, sindoor, henna, and sweets, to name a few things. On this day, women adorn themselves with Solah Shringar or sixteen embellishments. These Shringar items are a representation of marriage and hence of enormous importance for married women. This is why wearing them is deemed to be auspicious. On the occasion of Hariyali Teej, the practice of giving Shringar items by the in-laws is more important for newlyweds. Women go to their parents' residences to celebrate this occasion as part of the ritual.
On the occasion of Hariyali Teej, the Suhag Samagri, like sindoor, bangles, Mehendi, Kajal, etc., are offered to Goddess Parvati. Along with all this, a green coloured cloth is also offered to the divine Goddess.
Henna or Mehendi play a crucial role in this festival. Women adorn their hands with Mehendi. Without applying Mehendi, the Hariyali Teej festival is not complete. It is a common belief that the colour of Mehendi is a marker of how much a husband loves his wife. The darker the Mehendi colour on her palms, the more her husband or fiance will love and adore her.
Traditionally, another crucial aspect of the occasion of Hariyali Teej is the swings. The swings are set up at various places like hung from the branches of the Banyan trees or Vat Vriksha. Some swings are even set up in courtyards and gardens. These swings are also painted and decorated beautifully. Women gather and spend the day swinging on the swings, singing Teej songs, and dancing with one another. This day is for women to have a good time and enjoy themselves to their heart's content.
For devotees, Hariyali Teej holds a lot of importance. This auspicious occasion of Hariyali Teej is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm in the northern states of India, especially Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. The celebrations of this day might vary from region to region, like in the state of Punjab, it is called Teeyan, and in Rajasthan, it is known as the Shingara Teej. Even though there may be slight variations, the spirit, enthusiasm, and excitement are the same everywhere.
Women celebrate Hariyali Teej wearing brightly coloured clothes, adorning themselves, swinging on swings, singing, dancing, and applying Mehendi. Fairs are also organised on this auspicious occasion. Since no celebration or auspicious occasion is considered complete without sweets in India, amazing delectable sweets are also prepared. Ghewar, churma, coconut laddoos, and sabudana kheer are some sweets prepared for this festival.
Given below is the auspicious date and time for the occasion.
Hariyali Teej 2021 Date - 11th August 2021 (Wednesday)
Tritiya Tithi Begins - 06:05 PM (10th August 2021)
Tritiya Tithi Ends - 04:53 PM (11th August 2021)
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