Hariyali Teej: A Celebration of Monsoon, Matrimony, and Renewal

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Hariyali Teej: A Celebration of Monsoon, Matrimony, and Renewal

One of North India's most vibrant and eagerly anticipated festivals, Hariyali Teej is mostly celebrated by married women. Falling during the Hindu month of Shravan (July-August), its name beautifully captures its essence: 'Hariyali' means 'greenery', and 'Teej' refers to the 'third' day of the lunar cycle.  It is celebrated on the Tritiya (third day) of the bright half of the Shravan month.

This festival heralds the arrival of the monsoon, a time when the parched earth is drenched in rain, and the landscape is transformed into a lush, green paradise.  Hariyali Teej is a celebration of this natural rejuvenation, mirrored in the spiritual and marital devotion of women.
The Significance: A Festival of Love and Fidelity
Hariyali Teej is an ode to Goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva at its core. It commemorates the day when Parvati was reunited with Shiva as his consort after undergoing severe penance and 108 rebirths.  Because of this legend, she is worshipped as the embodiment of a devoted wife (pativrata).

For married women, the festival is a prayer for the well-being, prosperity, and long life of their husbands (saubhagya).  Unmarried women also observe the fast, praying to be blessed with a virtuous and loving husband like Lord Shiva.
The Celebrations: A Splash of Green and Joy
The festivities of Hariyali Teej are a sensory delight, characterized by color, music, and tradition.

The Fast (Vrat): Women observe a strict nirjala vrat (a fast without even water) from sunrise to moonrise.  This fast is considered highly auspicious and is believed to strengthen the bond with their husbands and ensure their longevity.
Dressing in Splendor: The color green is the theme of the day.  Women adorn themselves in beautiful green, red, or yellow sarees and lehengas, symbolizing the vitality of the monsoon.  They apply intricate henna designs (mehndi) on their hands and feet, wear traditional jewelry, and often receive new clothes and gifts (shringar) from their parents or in-laws.

The Swing (Jhoola): A quintessential image of Hariyali Teej is that of women, often in groups, swinging on beautifully decorated swings (jhoolas) hung from trees.  This ritual is deeply symbolic—the swinging represents the soaring joy of the season and hearkens back to the playful moments of Goddess Parvati.  The air is filled with the sound of their laughter and traditional Teej songs.
Prayers and offerings: Women worship Goddess Parvati in the evening. An idol of the Goddess is often adorned and offered fruits, flowers, and sacred foods.  The fast is broken only after sighting the moon and offering water (arghya) to it.
Feasting and Songs: No Indian festival is complete without special food.  While women fast, they cook and serve a lavish meal for their families. Delicacies like ghevar, meethi puri, pua, and other sweet and savory dishes are enjoyed.  The day is also marked by singing folk songs that narrate the legends of Teej and the joys and sorrows of marital life.

In Essence:
Hariyali Teej is more than just a religious observance; it is a cultural spectacle.  It is a day that celebrates the beauty of nature, the power of devotion, and the sacredness of marriage.  It is a day for women to come together, celebrate their bonds, and pray for a happy and prosperous life, all set against the beautiful, rain-washed backdrop of the monsoon season.


 

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