How to celebrate teej at home?

History and Significance of Haryali Teej

There are three Teej festivals celebrated in the month of Sawan. Namely: Haryali Teej, Kajari Teej and Hartalika Teej. Out of the three, Haryali Teej is dedicated to the union of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati.

If the Hindu mythology is to be believed, the story that rounds about Haryali Teej is: Goddess Gauri was birth as Parvati at the house of Himalaya. Since birth Goddess Parvati wanted to marry Lord Shiva and remained austere for years; seeing her austerity Lord Vishnu got impressed and wanted to marry Goddess Parvati. Narad Ji took this proposal to Himalaya, and he happily agreed. Listening to this, Goddess Parvati was disheartened and eloped with her friends to a forest.

Goddess Parvati used this time to pray to Lord Shiva with much more dedication. Lord Shiva got moved by her austerity and prayers and agreed to marry her. She fasted and remained austere for many years until Lord Shiva accepted her as his wife. Hence, Goddess Parvati is known as Teej Mata.

Married women observe fast on this day and pray for the well-being and long life of their husbands. They also pray for the satisfaction and richness of a happy married life. It is seen that some unmarried women also keep this fast to pray to get a husband like Lord Shiva.

When to celebrate Haryali Teej?

The Haryali Teej date falls in July or August each year. It is observed on the 3rd day after the full moon appears in the month of Sawan, Shraavana, or monsoon. Because of the rainy season around this time, the surroundings become green. And hence, Haryali Teej is sometimes also called Shraavana Teej. In 2023, Haryali Teej will be celebrated on the 19th of August, and Hindu women worldwide will observe a fast. Now let us see how to celebrate Haryali Teej in full grandeur.

How to celebrate Haryali Teej and What to visit?

The monsoon season brings along a different joy to celebrate this day. Nature looks beautiful with the arrival of rain and clouds, greenery, chirping birds, customs and rituals. All of this adds to the mood of this festival. And because of the beauty of nature, the festival is known as Haryali Teej.

Applying Mehendi or Henna to the hands is considered very auspicious. Women adorn their hands and feet with Mehendi a day before the Haryali Teej date. As this day is celebrated as a dedication to Goddess Parvati, married women get dressed in beautiful jewellery and new bright-coloured ethnic clothes. Women get a chance to get ready in complete solah (16) shringar, just like a new bride.

The festival is celebrated by reading the Haryali Teej Katha to fascinate Mata Parvati. After the pooja, women sing, dance and get along with friends. They also play under the tree on swings. Some special sweets like coconut ladoos, sabudana kheer, aloo halwa and ghewar are prepared for this occasion.

However, how to celebrate Haryali Teej differs according to the celebration region, but the significance of the celebration is the same. Few Indian states declare this day as an official or restricted holiday. Let us discuss a few places with respective celebration types:

Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

Haryali Teej is celebrated with great vigour in Vrindavan. Most of the temples are decorated with green shades and colourful swings. Some famous temples celebrating Haryali Teej include Rasabihari Nikunjvihari, Radharaman, Godavihar, Radhavallabha, Yugalkishor and Radha Shyamsundar. It would be best if you witnessed the Teej celebration at this place at least once in your lifetime. You will be impressed by the devotion and purity of this city. To visit, book a flight to Delhi and then book a bus through redBus app for the onward journey. Big buses ply this route daily.

Chandigarh

Chandigarh administration makes special arrangements in the Rock garden on Haryali Teej. Schoolchildren perform plays and other cultural activities in the garden on this day. The garden is adorned with beautiful decorations and multiple swings.

Haryana

Haryana also celebrates Haryali Teej with great enthusiasm. The Haryana Government celebrates this festival by arranging many functions and declaring it an official holiday. Boys fly kites throughout the day. RSRTC offers several buses during the celebration of Teej for the people of Haryana and Rajasthan.

The other states where you can find the zeal to celebrate Haryali Teej are Punjab, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Almost all temples in these states are decorated with beautiful flowers, and you can find swings with women enjoying and singing with friends.