Hariyali Teej is a famous festival of Hindus. This festival is celebrated on Tritiya of Shukla Paksha of Shravan month. Hindu women fast on this day. It is especially celebrated in all the cities of northern India. Swings occur from house to house. The group of women sings folk songs. Beautiful dishes, gunjia, ghevar, fanny etc. are sent to Sindhara in Savan. It is of special importance to apply henna on this Teej. Women also put feet on the feet, which is considered a sign of Married. It is believed that Shiva and Parvati had a reunion on this day. On this day Hindu women worship Lord Shiva and Parvati. This day is also known as Chhoti Teej and Shravan Teej. It is said that Lord Shiva gave this blessing at the behest of Goddess Parvati ji that if a virgin girl keeps this fast, then the obstacles in her marriage will be removed. On this day Lord Shiva granted Goddess Parvati the boon to accept her as his wife. On this day, Rajputs wear red colored clothes in Rajasthan. The ride of Mata Parvati is taken out. During the reign of King Suraj Mal, Pathan kidnapped some women and took them on this day. Whom Raja Surajmal rescued and sacrificed himself. From the same day, the practice of wrestling started here.
Hariyali Teej worship method
On this day, women fast and listen to the story of Teeri Hariyali. Lord Shiva and Parvati are worshiped. Married women observe this fast because their husbands should be long and their family should have happiness.
Hariyali Teej Vrat Katha
It is believed that this story was told by Lord Shiva to remind Parvati ji about her past birth. The story goes like this-
Shiva says: O Parvati. A long time ago you did extreme tenacity on the Himalayas to get me as a groom. During this time you had to spend the day chewing dried leaves after giving up food and water. You meditated continuously, regardless of the weather. Seeing this situation of yours, your father was very sad and angry. In such a situation Naradji came to your house. When your father asked him the reason for his arrival, Naradji said – “O Giriraj! I have come here after sending Lord Vishnu. Pleased with your girl’s severe penance, he wants to marry her. I want to know your opinion about this. ”On hearing Naradji, Parvataraj said with great pleasure- O Naradji. If Lord Vishnu himself wants to marry my daughter, then nothing could be more important. I am ready for this marriage.
Shivji says to Parvati ji, “Naradji, after getting the approval of your father, went to Vishnu and told this good news. But when you came to know about this marriage, you were very sad. Husband had agreed.
You told your distraught mind to your friend. He suggested to your friend that she will hide you by taking you to a dense forest and do the meditation to get Shiva there. After this, your father was very worried and sad because he could not find you at home. He started thinking what would happen if Vishnu brought a procession and you did not get it at home. They made you search the earth, but you could not be found.
You were absorbed in my worship inside a cave in the forest. You worshiped me on Bhadrapad III Shukla by constructing a Shiva lingam from the sand, which pleased me and I fulfilled your desire. After this you told your father that ‘Father, I have spent a long time of my life in the penance of Lord Shiva. And Lord Shiva has accepted me, pleased with my penance. Now I will follow you on the same condition that you will marry me with Lord Shiva only. “Parvat Raj accepted your wish and took you back home. After some time he married us with full legal practice. “
Lord Shiva then told that – “O Parvati! As a result of the fast you worshiped on Bhadrapad Shukla Tritiya by worshiping me, the marriage of both of us was possible. The significance of this fast is that I give the desired fruit to every woman who observes this fast with full devotion. Lord Shiva told Parvati ji that any woman who performs this fast with full devotion will get a steady honeymoon like you.
Rituals of Hariyali Teej
On the day of Hariyali teej, married women are presented with Shringara items like traditional dresses, bangles, henna, sindoor and sweets to name a few, by their respective in-laws.
The women particularly dress up in green color lehengas or saris. These Shringara items are symbolic of marriage and hold great significance for married women. Also wearing them is considered to be auspicious. As per the Hindu traditions it is believed that by wearing all the 16 adornments a woman can keep her husband protected from all evils. This custom of gifting ‘Sindhara’ is particularly significant for the newlyweds. As a part of the ritual, women then go to their parent’s house for celebrating Hariyali Teej. Delicious food items are prepared and enjoyed by all. The tradition of applying henna on the hands and feet is most significant during Hariyali Teej. The festival of Shingara Teej is incomplete without performing this tradition. It is a popular belief that the color of Mehendi on the hands tells about the love showered by husbands. Darker the color of the henna on the hand, the more she will be loved by her fiancé or husband. In some places, women also write the name of their husband or beloved with henna on their hands. The tradition of Vat Vriksha also forms an important part of the ‘Shravani teej’. In most of the places, swings are hung on the branches of Banyan tree or Vat Vriksha and even in houses. Women spend the day swinging along with dancing and singing with other women. On the day of Hariyali Teej women are given all the liberty for enjoyment and merry making. In Hindu mythology the Banyan tree is help sacred and its hanging branches reflect knowledge. Therefore worshipping the Vat Vriksha on the occasion of Hariyali Teej is also considered auspicious.
On the day of Hariyali Teej, women also observe strict fast known as ‘Nirjala Vrat’, where they are not allowed to even drink water for the whole day. The Hariyali Teej vrat can be kept both by married and unmarried women. The fast is broken later after worshipping the moon. On this day women worship Teej Mata (Goddess Parvati) for the prosperity and well-being of their husbands. The idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped and songs are sung in their honour. The festival of Hariyali Teej celebrates the nuptial bond of marriage. The observance of this festival by Indian women signifies their devotion towards their respective families and how they are always prepared to protect them from all the evils. The celebrations of Hariyali Teej are very elaborate in all the Krishna Mandirs in Vridavan. Swings are laid for their deity and this ceremony is known as ‘Jhullan Leela’. Religious hymes and songs are chanted in all the mandirs and devotees celebrate this festival with complete excitement and enthusiasm. The idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are beautifully adorned with ornaments and after the celebrations; water is showered over the devotees to mark the arrival of monsoons.