The festival of Hariyali Teej is celebrated in the northern and central regions of India, including states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The festival falls on the third day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Sawan. This year Hariyali Teej falls on August 7, 2024. The term ‘Hariyali’ translates to ‘greenery’ in Hindi, signifying the festival’s celebration of nature’s vibrant renewal. ‘Teej’ is derived from the Hindi word for “third,” referring to the day of the festival.The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It celebrates the gathering of the divine couple after Parvati’s long penance. On this day, women worship and pray to Goddess Parvati for a happy marriage. According to legends, Mata Parvati performed intense meditation and was in deep ‘dhyaan’ for many lifetimes to win Lord Shiva as her husband. While initially Lord Shiva was dejected because of losing Mata Sati, Maa Parvati’s devotion impressed him, and he finally accepted her as his consort.This reunion is said to be a symbol of the union of Shiva and Shakti, the divine feminine power, and Hariyali Teej celebrates this divine union.For married women, Hariyali Teej is a time to pray for the well-being, health, and long-life of their husbands. It is also a day to ask for blessings for a happy married life from the all-loving duo Mata Parvati and Lord Shiva.
In some families, unmarried girls also participate in the celebrations, especially if they are nearing marriage so that they will be blessed with a loving and caring husband. Women observe a day-long fast to ask Lord Shiva for the long life of their husband. They abstain from food and water for the entire day, dedicating their fast to the well-being of their husbands and a peaceful and blissful marital life.They make jhulas (swing) decorated with flowers and take turns swinging in joy.The swings are hung from trees, the ropes are tied with flowers, and the plank is usually made with a wooden slab. Women also apply mehendi on their hands and feet. Most women prefer wearing either red, or green, as they are the colours of ‘Hariyali’.In some families, the married women also get gifts from their parents. This gift is called ‘Sindhara’, and contains things like new clothes, sweets, ghewar, namakpara, dry fruits, some money, and the likes.