Hariyali Teej is considered one of the most colorful and culturally rich festivals that are celebrated by Hindu women, particularly in northern India. Being devoted to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, this festival symbolizes love, devotion, joy in marriage and the bonding between husband and wife. This festival is celebrated with much fervor through fasting, worship, wearing of traditional dresses, applying mehendi, swinging, singing devotional songs and family reunions.
For many devotees, Hariyali Teej is the time when they seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati for their prosperous marriage, good fortune and peace of mind. If you are thinking about how to celebrate Hariyali Teej, here is the guide for the same.
What Is Hariyali Teej?
The festival of Hariyali Teej is observed on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya of the Hindu month Shravan (Sawan). The festival is generally held during the rainy season, when nature turns green. The term “Hariyali” means green. This is the reason why green attires, bangles, ornaments, and other decorations are common during the festival.
As per the Hindu mythology, the festival of Hariyali Teej marks the divine marriage of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. According to the legend, Goddess Parvati undertook severe penance in order to get Lord Shiva as her spouse.
Traditionally, married women observe the festival in order to seek blessings for the longevity of their husbands, whereas unmarried women might keep the observance of Teej in order to find a good life partner.
Ways of Celebrating Hariyali Teej
There are many ways to celebrate Hariyali Teej through various spiritual and traditional practices as well as family fun activities. Here are some of the most common ways of celebrating Hariyali Teej.
1. Cleaning and Decorating the House
Start your celebration by cleaning your house and making an ideal place for worshipping God. You can decorate your puja room with flowers, mango leaves, torans, diya, and other traditional decorations.
The green color is one of the essential colors on Hariyali Teej. Therefore, you can decorate your puja room with green fabrics, green flowers, green leaves, and other green items.
The small puja corner with idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati can serve as the focal point of celebration.
2. Wearing Traditional Green Clothes
Wearing traditional clothes is an important part of Hariyali Teej celebration. Usually, women prefer to wear green saree, lehenga or suit as the green color symbolizes nature, prosperity, freshness, and new beginnings.
In addition to wearing traditional clothes, women also wear green bangles, jewelry, bindi and other accessories.
3. Apply Mehendi
Teej is very closely related to applying mehendi. Women and girls apply mehendi designs on their hands and feet.
Designs of flowers, leaves, peacocks, paisleys and other designs are quite popular. Application of mehendi may also be made an enjoyable activity for the whole family or group where women come together to chat, listen to music and have some festive foods.
4. Observe the Teej Fast
Observing a fast is an essential aspect of Hariyali Teej for many devotees. There are women who observe fast on that day while there are those who observe fast according to their health conditions and religious beliefs.
The reason behind fasting on Hariyali Teej is basically linked with dedication, self-discipline and praying. It is important to observe one’s family customs while fasting and also keeping in mind individual health conditions.
It is advised for pregnant ladies, old persons, those who take medicines regularly and others having any kind of health problem not to fast without consulting the doctor.
5. Worship Shiva-Parvati
Another very important ritual that is performed during Hariyali Teej is the worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Before conducting the puja, devotees may prepare all the items needed for the puja as per their family customs. Idols and pictures of Shiva and Parvati are placed in the place of puja and decorated with flowers and other offerings.
Flowers, fruits, sweets, water, and many other things used in a traditional puja are offered to Shiva and Parvati along with prayers and mantras. Many devotees also narrate various stories related to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
The puja is done with full devotion in the hope of maintaining peace and harmony within the family and marital bliss.
6. Recite Hariyali Teej Vrat Katha
Yet another very important custom that is followed by devotees is listening to the Teej Vrat Katha.
The story emphasizes the devotion and dedication of Goddess Parvati in becoming one with Lord Shiva. This story teaches many devotees about faith and spirituality.
7. Take Part in Traditional Swings
Swings are one of the most identifiable icons of Teej festivals. Traditionally, during monsoon season swings are strung up on trees for women and girls to ride along with Teej songs being sung.
In case it is possible, you can hang a decorated swing at home or join any community Teej celebration where flowers, leaves and colorful pieces of fabric will be used to decorate it.
8. Sing Traditional Teej Songs
Teej festival is associated with many musical traditions and songs that reflect devotion, marriage and Goddess Parvati. Folk songs about love, marriage, devotion, monsoon and Goddess Parvati are popular in Hariyali Teej festival.
One can organize small singing sessions at home or listen to devotional music as a family.
9. Cook Traditional Teej Food
Food is a necessary part of any festival in India, and Hariyali Teej festival is no different. Many families make special desserts and traditional dishes based on regional traditions.
Some of the festive foods may include ghewar, malpua, kheer, puri, halwa, and many other traditional sweets and snacks. Fruits fresh or dried may be served along with traditional foods.
In case you are on a fast, make sure you follow the rules related to the kinds of food for the fast. Do not indulge in excessive eating after breaking the fast.
10. Give Gifts and Shringar Items
Another popular Teej tradition is exchange of gifts. Married women receive traditional gifts from their family members, especially shringar items.
These gifts may include bangles, saree, mehendi, jewelry, cosmetics, sweetmeats, fruits or anything else. In some families, parents offer Teej gifts to their married daughters.
What is important about this practice is not the value of the gifts but love, respect, and blessings.
Things Required for Hariyali Teej Puja
Depending upon the custom followed by various families and regions, puja samagri required may vary but some common items include:
- Image/idol of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
- Flowers and garlands
- Fruits and sweets
- Diya and agarbattis
- Roli and kumkum
- Akshat (rice)
- Panchamrit
- Holy water
- Mehendi
- Green bangles
- Shringar items
- Puja thali
Always try and follow the puja procedure that is traditionally followed in your family or region or as advised by the priest.
Celebrating Hariyali Teej at Home
You don’t have to go to a big function to enjoy this day. A simple celebration of the festival at home will require you to clean and decorate the puja place, wear traditional attire, prepare festive dishes, get your mehendi done, perform Shiva-Parvati puja and listen to the Vrat Katha.
Alternatively, you may choose to have a small Teej gathering with relatives and friends. Some activities that you may conduct on this day are mehendi ceremony, singing and dancing, traditional games and swings, and sharing of the festive food.
Spiritual Significance of Hariyali Teej
Hariyali Teej is more than just a colorful festival. It is about devotion, patience, love, and spirituality. The story of Goddess Parvati is especially important due to the message of determination and firm belief.
For married individuals, it becomes a chance to pray for better understanding and happiness in their families. For those who have not found their second half yet, it is a chance to pray for a successful future.
Moreover, the festival is connected with nature and beauty of monsoons. The greenery, flowers, swings, and traditional songs become an unusual link between spirituality, culture, and nature.
Celebrate Hariyali Teej with Asktro
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Conclusion
Hariyali Teej is a magnificent festival that celebrates love, devotion, nature, and traditions. Whether it’s dressing up in green clothes and getting mehendi done or doing the Shiva-Parvati puja, listening to Vrat Katha, swinging, singing folk songs, and indulging in special foods, there is a special significance attached to each and every tradition of the festival.
Devotion and positivity are the two major factors that are needed while celebrate Hariyali Teej. Whether you choose to follow the traditions in a traditional way by fasting or doing a puja at home or just celebrating it in a fun manner with your family and friends, this is the best time to thank God.
