Hariyali Teej: Fasting and Rituals
Hariyali Teej (हरियाली तीज) is one of the three main Teej festivals celebrated by married Hindu women in India and other parts of the world. The other two Teej festivals are Kajari Teej (कजरी तीज) and Hartalika Teej (हरतालिका तीज). As per the Hindu calendar, all Teej festivals are observed on the Tritiya (that is the third day of the Shukla paksha). Shukla paksha is the bright moon fortnight of a month) of Shravan Mahina (Sawan month, which usually falls in July or August of the English calendar). The festival is mainly celebrated in the North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, etc. Some states may have different names and rituals but, if you go anywhere in the country during this time around, you will find people celebrating it in full enthusiasm. Married women perform a fast for the sake of their husbands’ lifespan and well-being.
Hariyali Teej Date 2023
This year Hariyali Teej 2023 will be observed on August 19, 2023, just two days ahead of Nag Panchami, which is on August 21, 2023. Just after almost a month, on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya of the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapad Maas (that is August and September according to the English calendar), on September 18, 2023, Hartalika Teej will be celebrated.
Important Teej Dates and Timings in 2023
- Hariyali Teej On Saturday – 19 August 2023
- Kajari Teej On Saturday – 2 September 2023
- Hartalika Teej On Monday – 18 September 2023
Hariyali Teej 2023 Tithi
- Sunrise – 19 August 2023 06:08 AM
- Sunset – 19 August 2023 06:52 PM
- Tritiya Tithi Begins – 08:01 PM on 18 August 2023
- Tritiya Tithi Ends – 10:19 PM on 19 August 2023
The Hariyali Teej is celebrated during the monsoon season when nature is full of greenery. This is the reason it is called Hariyali Teej meaning Green Teej. Other names for this Teej are Sawan ki teej, Choti Teej, and Madhusrava Teej. Hariyali Teej is similar to Karwa Chauth (करवा चौथ), another festival celebrated by married Hindu women in the states of Punjab, Western UP, Haryana, etc. for the well-being of their husbands.
On this day, married women celebrate the union of Mata Parvati and Bhagwan Shiva. People believed that, on this auspicious day, Mahadev accepted Mata Parvati as his wife. And henceforth, Mata Parvati is also known as ‘Teej Mata.’
This is a festival of married women and they celebrate it with much fanfare. In Punjab, it is known as Teeyan and in Rajasthan people call it Shingara Teej. Hariyali Teej is celebrated in many parts of India but with different names and you may find a little difference in the way of celebration and rituals. However, there is no absence of vigour and excitement among women on this day, whether they observe it or not.
Rituals of Hariyali Teej (हरियाली तीज की धार्मिक संस्कार और विधि)
On the occasion of Hariyali Teej married ladies get Shringara things like traditional attire, bangles, sindoor, henna and sweets from their in-laws.
Usually, women wear green sarees or lehengas on the day. The items in Shringara symbolise the marriage of a woman and mean a lot to any married woman. These Shringara are considered very auspicious for women. As per Hindu beliefs and customs, by wearing all 16 Shringara women can protect their husbands from all dangers and problems. According to traditional beliefs, the ‘Shringara’ is important for newlyweds. The newlyweds women go to their parents’ house to celebrate this festival. Women get together on this day and make the occasion full of fun and entertainment. A delicious meal is prepared for all and served.
Women also apply mehndi to the hands and feet as it is believed to be very auspicious on Teej. Without mehndi, the Shingara ritual of Teej is considered incomplete. They believe that the darker the colour of mehndi, the stronger will be her bond with her husband and they will share more love and care with each other.
This Shravan Maas Teej (श्रावण मास तीज) also has the Vat Vriksha (वटवृक्ष) tradition. Usually, you will find jhula (swings) hanging from the branches of Vat Vriksha (Banyan trees) in many areas. Women gather in those places and spend the entire day swinging, singing and dancing. Women spend the entire day of Teej enjoying and having a good time. According to Hindu beliefs, Vat Vriksha is very revered and considered a very sacred tree. On this day, worshipping the Vat Vriksha is also regarded as auspicious.
Some women observe ‘Nirjala Vrat’ on this day, during which they do not drink even a drop of water for the entire day. Women break their fast the next day after offering sindoor (vermillion) to Mata Parvati. Women break the fast with soaked black gram and cucumber. Later an elaborate meal is prepared for all in the family. Women worship Teej Mata (Mata Parvati) and Bhagwan Shiva on this day for the good health, prosperity and success of their husbands. They also sing bhajans dedicated to both Shiva ji and Parvati Mata.
How Hariyali Teej is Celebrated in Vrindavan?
Hariyali Teej festivities are very different in Shri Krishna Mandirs of Vrindavan. It is known as ‘Jhulan Leela,’ and it is about laying swings (jhula) for their goddess.
Devotional songs are sung in all mandirs and devotees celebrate the occasion with much enthusiasm. The idols of Shri Krishna and Radha Devi are beautifully decked up with flowers. After the celebration is over, water is poured over the devotees, as a symbol of the arrival of the monsoons.
What is Vrat Food During Hariyali Teej?
Usually, women keep 24 hours fast. Many women do not even drink water. They drink water only after the Tritiya Tithi of Teej is over and that is the next morning, after offering vermilion to Mata Parvati.
If you are curious to learn about the Teej festival and its significance, chat with our astrologers and pandits here.
