Hariyali Teej is a widely celebrated Hindu festival that marks the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Observed on the third day (Tritiya) of Shukla Paksha in the holy month of Shravan, married women keep a fast on Hariyali Teej for the wellbeing and long life of their husbands. This year, Hariyali Teej will be celebrated on August 19, 2023.
As the monsoon season brings greenery to the land, the festival celebrates the bounties of nature. Hariyali Teej derives its name from the word ‘Hariyali’ which means greenery. The festival is also known as Chhoti Teej and Shravan Teej in different parts of India. Read on to know more about Hariyali Teej 2023.
Hariyali Teej 2023: History and Significance
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati performed intense penance for several years to impress Lord Shiva and make him accept her as his wife. Pleased with her dedication, Lord Shiva finally acceded to marry her on the third day of Shukla Paksha in Shravan month. Their union brought joy and ushered in the monsoon season.
To commemorate this divine marriage, Hariyali Teej is celebrated annually by women worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati idols, praying for marital bliss. Unmarried girls also observe the fast to get a good husband. Hariyali Teej emphasizes the importance of married life and the strong bond between a husband and wife.
Hariyali Teej 2023: Rituals and Celebrations
The festival is celebrated most elaborately in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Married women wake up early, take a bath, wear new green clothes, and get ready. Special home-cooked food and gifts are sent by the woman’s parents for her.
The day is spent doing Shringar including mehendi, wearing jewellery, and singing folk songs dedicated to the divine couple. Women also make special Teej swings and take rounds on them. The fasting women do not even drink water the entire day. They pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati idols at home or visit temples.
The fast is broken only after sighting the moon at night after which women seek blessings from the elderly in the family. Festive fairs are also held in cities of North India where Teej idols and swings are sold along with accessories used for Shringar. From bangles to henna, markets get a festive buzz during Hariyali Teej.
Hariyali Teej 2023: Tithi and Date
As per the Hindu calendar, Hariyali Teej is celebrated on Tritiya of Shukla Paksha in the Shravan month. This year, Tritiya tithi begins at 8:01 pm on August 18, 2023, and ends at 10:19 pm on August 19, 2023. Therefore, Hariyali Teej will be celebrated on August 19. The auspicious timing for the Teej puja is during Godhuli Muhurat’s late afternoon.
Hariyali Teej 2023: Puja Rituals and Vrat Vidhi
Here are the key rituals to be followed for the Hariyali Teej celebration:
- Wake up early, take bath, and wear fresh green or red colored traditional clothes.
- Prepare idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati using clay. Also, arrange a puja thali.
- Do Sankalp of keeping the Hariyali Teej Vrat. Promise to observe full fast without water.
- Prepare Bhog to offer – kheer or halwa and other dishes. Decorate the idols.
- Perform detailed puja during Godhuli Muhurat by offering flowers, fruits, and sings aarti.
- Stay awake at night, listen to Teej Vrat story and offer the Bhog after seeing the moon.
- Seek blessings from elders and hubby. Touch his feet to get his blessings.
The fast can only be broken after completing all rituals and offering prasad. The Hariyali Teej puja and fasting is a strict Nirjala Vrat observed with full devotion.
Hariyali Teej Significance for Newly Weds and Unmarried Girls
Along with married women, newlywed couples and unmarried girls also observe the Hariyali Teej Vrat sincerely. New brides keep the fast for the first time after marriage for a blissful married life. Unmarried girls pray to get a good husband like Lord Shiva.
It is believed that sincerely observing the Hariyali Teej fast pleases Goddess Parvati who blesses them. The festival emphasizes the importance of marriage, which is considered sacred and indispensable in Hinduism. Hariyali Teej teaches devotion and sacrifice to nurture relationships.
Preparations for Hariyali Teej Celebrations
Here are some key things required for Hariyali Teej puja at home:
- Idols of Lord Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha – banana leaves, flowers, lamp, diya, roli, fruits, paan supari, and Dakshina for the offering.
- Items for decorating the idols – Shringar items like bangles, bindi, mehendi, mirror, jewelry, etc.
- Puja Samagri – holy water, Ganga Jal, ghee, honey, curd, Akshat, betel nut, prasad ingredients, etc.
- Vrat Katha book for reading the legend and significance behind the festival. Listen to it at night.
- Comfortable sitting and sleeping arrangements to spend the day and night fasting and praying.
The Hariyali Teej fast gives women an occasion to dress up traditionally with great enthusiasm. Markets are buzzing with teej special mehendi, clothes, swings, and handicrafts days before the festival. Women love coming together to celebrate the divine marriage that brought joy to the world.
Hariyali Teej brings unmatched fervor among Hindu women. The difficult Nirjala fast is undertaken with joy and faith to seek blessings from Shiva-Parvati and ensure the happiness of their families. With its spiritual and social significance, the festival will continue to be celebrated annually with great preparations and gaiety.