Hariyali Teej

Hariyali Teej is observed on the Tritiya (3rd day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight of the moon) in the month of ‘Shravan’ as per the Hindu calendar .  Shravan month marks the beginning of monsoon i.e. the rainy season in India.  The word “Hariyali” means “greenery” that is a symbol of growth and prosperity. Thus, Hariyali teej is the celebration on this greenery and growth.

 This day is also referred as ‘Shravani Teej’. Hariyali Teej is also known as ‘Choti Teej’ and ‘Madhusrava Teej’. The festival of Hariyali Teej is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Her unison with Lord Shiva. It was on this auspicious day that Lord Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati as his wife.

On this occasion women worship Goddess Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva) and they fast for the long life of their husband. It is believed that Devi Parvati underwent a penance and prayed continuously to show her devotion towards Lord Shiva and it was after 108 births and rebirths that he accepted her as his wife. Married women seek her blessings by honoring Devi Parvati and unmarried women imbibed by her spirit to be blessed by a husband like Lord Shiva.

Legend has it that the Goddess Parvati once underwent a self-imposed penance in an effort to demonstrate her devotion to Lord Shiva and was born and reborn on earth 108 times before he took her as his wife. The day was “Teej of Shrawan Month” when Lord Shiva took her as his wife, then Devi Parvati promised every women who invokes her will be bless with marital bliss and her blessings.

The Hariyali Teej celebration comprises of dancing, singing and swinging. Special fairs are being organized by local authorities to celebrate the occasion of Hariyali Teej. It is a customary practice for the women themselves to sit in swings in imitation of those deities.

Hariyali Teej is observed with great pomp and show in the north Indian states of Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Rajasthan. In Punjab it is known as ‘Teeyan’ and in the state of Rajasthan it is called as ‘Shingara Teej’. In most of these states, the day of Hariyali Teej is declared to be an official holiday. Grand Processions are carried out and tourists flock to these places in large number to witness the festivities. The celebrations of Hariyali Teej may vary slightly from region to region, but the spirit and enthusiasm is same everywhere.

The celebrations of Hariyali Teej are very elaborate in all the Krishna Mandirs in Vridavan. Swings are laid for their deity and this ceremony is known as ‘Jhullan Leela’. Religious hymes and songs are chanted in all the mandirs and devotees celebrate this festival with complete excitement and enthusiasm. The idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are beautifully adorned with ornaments and after the celebrations; water is showered over the devotees to mark the arrival of monsoons.

2017 Date : 26th July, Wednesday.