Hariyali Teej, aka Teej Festival in India, is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu religion and is mostly observed between the months of July and September (Shravan Maas according to the Hindu Calendar).
The Festival is celebrated by Hindu married women who observe a fast for Maa Parvati (The Prime Goddess and wife of Lord Shiva) and pray for their husband's long and healthy life ahead.
This is also the celebration of welcoming the monsoon season, where women and girls can be seen swinging and singing around the trees. Attached with mythological significance, the whole Shravan month is celebrated with three types of Teej, namely Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej, the first one being the most important. Just like Hariyali Teej, Hartalika teej in India is also celebrated with great pomp and show.
History of Hariyali Teej
As per the legends, when Lord Shiva's wife, Goddess Sati, died, she took rebirth as Maa Parvati, who, again, fell in love with the Supreme God, not knowing that she was his wife in the past life too.
However, being an ascetic post-Maa Sati's death (who became Maa Parvati in the next life), Lord Shiva didn't notice Goddess Parvati's presence and ignored her while doing his sadhana. In order to please him, she did penance for many years.
Finally, Lord Shiva noticed her efforts and realized how dearly she loved him, and eventually married her. It is since then that Maa Parvati has been worshipped as Hartalika and Teej Mata by women all across India.
On the special occasion of Hariyali Teej, she is worshipped by married women for the long life of their husbands and for marital bliss in their life. This festival also celebrates the abundance of Mother Nature.
Date, Time, & Venue of Hariyali Teej
It is celebrated on the third day of the bright fortnight, which is considered Shukla Paksha in Shravan Mass. Hariyali means greenery that occurs during the advent of monsoon, which is the time of celebration of nature, and Maa Parvati is also considered the Goddess of Nature. On this day, a two-day procession of Goddess Hartalika is taken out amidst great pomp and show. Men and women wear traditional clothes. Women apply henna or mehendi on their hands, wear their bridal fineries, and perform Ghoomar. The idol of the Goddess is beautifully decorated and carried out in a beautifully-decorated palki. The procession passes through the major areas of the market. Entry to this procession is free.
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Significance of Hariyali Teej Festival
Hariyali Teej is also called Singhara Teej in some regions of India. On this day, married women visit their maternal house and are offered gifts, locally called Shringar, comprising of the bindi, sindoor, churi, Mehendi, etc.
Also, Ghewar, being the most popular sweet of this festival, is offered, first to goddess Parwati and then distributed amongst friends and relatives. The colors of Hariyali Teej can be seen flowing in the states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and a few other northern states of India.
Major Attractions of Hariyali Teej Festival
1. Delicious Food Preparation
Almost every region of India prepares special cuisine for various festivals, especially North India. Apart from traditional food items like Malai Ghewar, Apple Kheer, and Kesari Jalebi, people also prepare special dishes like Masala Channa, Moong Dal Samosa, Amaranth Tikki, etc.
2. Cultural Attire
In Rajasthan, women are mostly seen in Ghagra-Choli-Chunni with leheriya print, whereas men are seen donning Kurta-Pajama with traditional red Turban. Women and men in other northern regions can be seen in sarees and Kurta-Pajama, respectively. What’s common in all of them is they mostly choose red, green, and yellow-coloured outfits to define the theme of the festival and to celebrate greenery.
3. Applying Mehendi
Women in Rajasthan gather together and apply mehendi on their palms and feet while singing teej songs. The joy and happiness of celebrating this festival are clearly evident on their faces.
4. Swinging on the Jhulas
When the family get-together is about to be over, women and men can be seen swinging on jhulas or swings and celebrating & strengthening their marital bond.
5. Perform Ghoomar
Ladies get together and perform the ghoomar dance. Ghoomar is a graceful dance performed by womenfolk of Rajasthan.
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How To Reach Jaipur for Hariyali Teej
Hariyali Teej is mostly popular in states like Punjab, UP, and Rajasthan, especially in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, where a grand Teej procession is organised every year. The procession starts from the Old City and passes through prominent streets. Men and women can be seen participating in this religious festival in India and enjoying to the fullest. This is the peak time when tourists can visit Rajasthan to explore the festivities of the region. Here is how you can reach the city.
- Nearest Major City. Jaipur
- Nearest Airport. Jaipur Airport
- Nearest Railway Station. Jaipur Railway Junction
- Distance from Jaipur. 12.7 km
By Air
To reach Jaipur by air, you will have to deboard at the Sanganer Airport. It has overall good flight connectivity with other Indian cities. After deboarding your flight, you will need to take a cab or some other means of public transportation to reach your destination.
- Distance from Jaipur Airport. 12.7 km
By Train
Jaipur has its own railhead of the same name, i.e. Jaipur Junction. This station has overall good rail connectivity with other cities and towns. You can consider deboarding here and further travel the remaining distance by some means of public transport like a cab.
- Distance from Jaipur Railway Station. 4.6 km
By Road
You can also consider traveling to Jaipur by well-connected road networks. A road trip will help you carve out some really cherishing memories. The overall road network, which includes national highways, is well-maintained and easily accessible. As per your convenience, you can choose to travel by state-run buses, cabs, or your personal vehicles as well.
- Distance From Bharatpur. 186 km
- Distance From Mathura. 221.1 km
- Distance From Alwar. 151.1 km
- Distance From Jodhpur. 351 km
- Distance From New Delhi. 260.4 km
- Distance From Noida. 282.6 km
- Distance From Agra. 237.7 km
- Distance From Bikaner. 334.4 km
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hariyali Teej
Ques 1. What is unique about the Hariyali Teej Festival?
Ans 1. The Festival is celebrated by Hindu married women who observe a fast for Maa Parvati (The Prime Goddess and wife of Lord Shiva) and pray for their husband's long and healthy life ahead.
Ques 2. When is Hariyali Teej Festival celebrated?
Ans 2. Hariyali Teej is celebrated on the third day of the bright fortnight, which is considered Shukla Paksha in Shravan Mass. Hariyali means greenery that occurs during the advent of monsoon, which is the time of celebration of nature, and Maa Parvati is also considered the Goddess of Nature.
Ques 3. Which is the best city to attend Hariyali Teej Festival?
Ans 3. The best city to attend Hariyali Teej Festival in Jaipur is the Pink City in Rajasthan.
Ques 4. What are the major attractions of the Hariyali Teej?
Ans 4. On this day, a two-day procession of Goddess Hartalika is taken out amidst great pomp and show. Men and women wear traditional clothes. Women apply henna or Mehendi on their hands, wear their bridal fineries, and perform Ghoomar. The idol of the Goddess is beautifully decorated and carried out in a beautifully-decorated palki.
Ques 5. what is teej festival?
Ans 5 It is a widely celebrated festival where women honor the monsoon season during the months of Shravan and Bhadrapada of the Hindu Calendar.
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