"Hariyali Teej': A Festival Symbolizing the Divine Union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
Shweta Goyal
The 'Teej' festival holds great significance in Hinduism and is celebrated thrice a year. First comes 'Hariyali Teej' in the month of Sawan, followed a few days later by 'Kajari Teej', and then 'Hartalika Teej'. All three Teejs are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and are celebrated with great fervor across the country. According to the Hindu calendar, the Sawan Shukla Tritiya Tithi will begin on August 14 at 6:46 PM and end on August 15 at 5:28 PM. Therefore, based on the Udaya Tithi, Hariyali Teej will be celebrated on August 15. Celebrated every year on the Tritiya of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravana, 'Hariyali Teej' is an important festival for Hindu women, which is also mentioned in Sanatan scriptures. Along with the worship of Shiva and Parvati, it is a sacred festival for women to adorn themselves and celebrate. In Hinduism, Hariyali Teej is considered one of the most significant fasts.
In Sanatan Dharma, the fast of Hariyali Teej is observed with immense devotion and enthusiasm, symbolizing the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati on the day of Teej yields manifold fruits. According to mythological lore, after 107 births of severe penance by Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva accepted her as his wife on this day. In many states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, married Hindu women observe a strict waterless fast (Nirjala Vrat) throughout the day and pray for the longevity of their husbands to celebrate Hariyali Teej.
The festival of Teej is celebrated in memory of the day when Lord Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati as his wife, due to which Parvati came to be worshipped as 'Teej Mata'. According to religious beliefs, observing the 'Hariyali Teej' fast dedicated to Mother Parvati fills the lives of married women with happiness, grants the blessing of longevity to their husbands, while creating prospects for early marriage for unmarried girls. This is why, along with married women, unmarried girls also observe this fast. Worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is the prescribed custom on this day. Married women observe this fast to pray for the safety and long life of their husbands.
This 'Teej' falling in the month of Shravana is called 'Hariyali Teej' because it is celebrated during the monsoon season when the environment is at its greenest. It is celebrated at a time in the month of Sawan when a mesmerizing blanket of greenery spreads across the earth. Due to its arrival in the green season of Sawan, this festival is known as 'Hariyali Teej'. On the day of Hariyali Teej, trees, rivers, and Varuna Dev (the god of water) are also worshipped. It is also called 'Sindhara Teej'. 'Sindhara' is a tradition of giving gifts, which is considered especially significant for newlyweds. Hariyali Teej is also known by names such as 'Sawan Teej', 'Chhoti Teej', and 'Madhushrava Teej'. In Punjab, it is known as 'Teeyan', and in Rajasthan as 'Shingara Teej'. In Rajasthan, processions of Mother Parvati or Teej Mata are taken out, while in Haryana, there is a government holiday on Hariyali Teej.
Adorning oneself carries immense importance on this day. Applying henna on hands, wearing green or red clothes, doing makeup, and wearing green glass bangles are considered very auspicious for married women on this festival. It is believed that dressing up on this day pleases Mother Parvati and invokes her blessings; hence, married women adorn themselves and pray for unbroken marital bliss (Akhand Saubhagya). The color green holds special significance in the month of Sawan because it represents nature. Green has a deep connection with the rainy season and greenery, which also brings peace to the mind. In Hinduism, the color green is considered a symbol of perpetual marital good fortune. It symbolizes nature, growth, and novelty—qualities that it reflects in marriage as well. It is believed that Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, also favors the color green. This is why wearing green on Hariyali Teej is considered auspicious. Thus, married women specially wear green sarees, green glass bangles, and other green ornaments on the occasion of Hariyali Teej.
The tradition of the Banyan (Vata) tree is very important during Hariyali Teej. Swings are hung in homes and on the branches of banyan trees, where women gather to swing, dance, and sing folk songs throughout the day. In Hindu mythology, the banyan tree is considered very sacred, symbolizing wisdom, and worshipping it on Hariyali Teej is deemed auspicious. During Hariyali Teej, women observe a strict Nirjala fast, abstaining from food and water all day. The fast concludes in the evening with the worship of the Moon. In the Krishna temples of Vrindavan, the Teej festival is celebrated with great grandeur, where swings are decorated for the deity, a tradition known as 'Jhulan Leela'. Especially for married Hindu women, this festival dedicated to the divine union of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva holds importance equivalent to Karwa Chauth.
According to various religious scriptures, the 'Hariyali Teej' fast was initiated by Mother Parvati, the daughter of the mountain king Himavan. Mother Parvati underwent severe penance for a very long time to attain Lord Shiva as her husband and observed this fast. It was due to the effect of this fast that Lord Shiva accepted her as his spouse. The celebration of Hariyali Teej is mentioned in several mythological tales. According to one such legend, Mother Parvati performed arduous penance for many years to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Pleased with her devotion and penance, Lord Shiva accepted her as his better half. Therefore, this day is celebrated as the reunion of Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva. It is believed that the tradition of celebrating Hariyali Teej has continued ever since, and unmarried girls also observe this fast to obtain a desired groom and remove obstacles in their marriage.
(The author is an educationist active in the field of teaching for more than 18 Years)
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