Hariyali Teej is a festival celebrated in the north Indian states of India mainly Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. This festival is celebrated on the third day of Shukla paksha in the Shravan month. It is also known as Madhusrava tritiya and Choti Teej.
There are three kinds of Teej celebrated in India namely Hariyali, Kajari and Hartalika Teej. Hariyali Teej festival is celebrated by women in reverence of Goddess Gowri Devi or Parvati who is the consort of Lord Shiva. Since this festival falls at a time when it rains heavily one can see greenery everywhere and hence the name Hariyali Teej.
Hariyali Teej History
According to legend Goddess Parvathi was reborn and did several years of stringent fasting to prove her dedication to Lord Shiva. After hundred years of strict fasting and austerity lord Shiva accepted her as his wife.it is said that Goddess Parvathi fasts on this day to impress the lord Shiva. It is believed that on this very day, Goddess Teejmata or Parvati celebrated union with God Shiva in pleasant green monsoon time after a long period of separation. Therefore, it is also known as Madhursravani.
It is said that whosoever invokes and worship Gowri known as teej mata on this day, will get divine blessings of Mother. A common belief is that women observing Nirajara Vrat on Teej are said to be blessed with long and healthy life of their husband by Teej Mata Parvati.
How is Hariyali Teej Celebrated?
Married women and young girls celebrate the festival with great zeal and earnest devotion. On this day married women return to their parents’ home and receive gifts from their in laws which is called Shrinjhara' or 'Sindhare which includes clothes, ornaments, beauty products, mehndi, sweets etc. Both married and unmarried women dress up in traditional green attires and wear ornaments and green bangles made of glass. Is also a common custom to apply mehandi or Alta on the hands and feet. Women and unmarried girls keep fast for long and healthy life of their husband. Teej fast goes for 24 long hours. It is the most rigorous fast in which women neither drink nor eat. They later break the fast after praying to the Moon.
Teej is also the festival swings. Swings are an intricate part of the festival. Beautifully decorated swings are hung from trees on which the women folk swing and sing the traditional teej songs. Many fairs are also organised in some places. Women sing songs, swing and enjoy the festival with great joy.