RESEARCH ON HARIYALI TEEJ

It is believed that the name of this festival comes from a small red insect called 'Teej' that emerges from the earth during the monsoon season. Hindu mythology has it that on this day, Parvati came to the Shiva's abode, marking the union of the husband and wife.
 Hariyali teej is a festival of devotion towards Mother Nature and family. It is rather the most awaited festival for girls as they dress up in colorful clothes, wear jewelry, apply mehandi, wear colorful bangles and enjoy to the core.

On this occasion women worship Goddess Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva) and they fast for the long life of their husband. It is believed that Devi Parvati underwent a penance and prayed continuously to show her devotion towards Lord Shiva and it was after 108 births and rebirths that he accepted her as his wife. Married women seek her blessings by honoring Devi Parvati and unmarried women imbibed by her spirit to be blessed by a husband like Lord Shiva.

Legend has it that the Goddess Parvati once underwent a self-imposed penance in an effort to demonstrate her devotion to Lord Shiva and was born and reborn on earth 108 times before he took her as his wife. The day was “Teej of Shrawan Month” when Lord Shiva took her as his wife, then Devi Parvati promised every women who invokes her will be bless with marital bliss and her blessings.

Hariyali Teej is a fasting festival for Hindu women (married or unmarried), celebrated for marital bliss and the wellbeing of their husbands. Hariyali teej is the 3^rd day of the first fortnight in the Hindu month Shravan (July – August). Shravan month marks the beginning of monsoon i.e. the rainy season in India.  The word “Hariyali” means “greenery” that is a symbol of growth and prosperity. Thus, Hariyali teej is the celebration on this greenery and growth. It is a celebration of the renewal of the earth after a very hot and dry summer.

Women witness fast on teej and pray for the good harvest season and well-being of their husband and family members. Those unmarried women pray for marital bliss.

The Hariyali Teej celebration comprises of dancing, singing and swining. Yes, you read it correctly “Swinging”. Women (especially in North India) celebrate Hariyali teej by wearing green bangles and enjoying swings all over the places. Special fairs are being organized by local authorities to celebrate the occasion of Hariyali Teej. It is a customary practice for the women themselves to sit in swings in imitation of those deities.

Rituals of Hariyali Teej

Following are the rituals that are to be followed on the day of Hariyali Teej

Rituals of Hariyali Teej: Tradition of Shringara

On the day of Shingara Teej, married women are gifted with Shringara items by their parent-in-laws. Shringara items consists of Henna, bangles, traditional dress known as Leharia, sweets, Sindoor (vermilion), etc. Sringara is considered as the symbol of being married and is auspicious to be worn. It is believed that if a woman wears all 16 adornments, her husband stays protected. Married women return to their parents' house to celebrate the festival of Hariyali Teej.

Rituals of Hariyali Teej: Tradition of Mehndi

The festival of Hariyali Teej or Shingara Teej cannot be completed without this tradition. On this day, women apply Mehndi (Henna tattoo) to their hands and feet. It is a belief that darker the color of Mehendi on a girl's hand, the more is she loved by her husband or fiance. Women also write their beloved's or husband's name on their hands with the Mehendi designs.

Rituals of Hariyali Teej: Tradition of Vat Vriksha

This is another important tradition on the day of Shravani Teej. Swings are hung along the branches of Vat Vriksha (banyan tree) where women enjoy the day swinging and dancing. The hanging branches of Vat Vriksha reflect knowledge. Hence, worshiping the tree on Singhara Teej is considered to be very auspicious.

Swings are also hung in houses. This is a special day in a woman's life when they get the full liberty to enjoy themselves. Moreover, the showers of Shravan add more joy to their enjoyment.

Rituals of Hariyali Teej: Tradition of Hariyali Teej Vrat

When we talk of Teej, this tradition can't be left out. On the day of Shingara Teej, women observe a Nirjala Vrat (a fast in which even water is not consumed) for the whole day i.e. 24 hours. Hariyali Teej Vrat is kept by both, married as well as unmarried women.

As we have already discussed about the voluntary penance undertaken by Devi Parvati, women observe Hariyali Teej Vrat for their husband's longevity. Unmarried women perform Hariyali Teej Vrat to get their desired husbands.

Rituals of Hariyali Teej: Tradition of Worshiping Teej Mata

On the day of Hariyali Teej, Goddess Parvati is worshiped, who is also known as Teej Mata. A variety of songs are performed in honor of Teej Mata and Lord Shiva, where the idols are kept at the centre.

Shravani Teej is one of the most celebrated festivals in Rajasthan. In the state, Teej Mata is worshiped in a princely manner. Processions of Teej Mata are taken to the streets, where tourists flock to witness the grandeur. Apart from this, songs and dances are performed amidst the streets of Rajasthan.

This was all about Shingara Teej and the way it is celebrated in our country.

Hariyali Teej is more than a mere festival; it is the festivity of the nuptial bond of marriage. The day of Shingara Teej signifies a woman's devotion toward her family and how she stands in front to protect her family from shady situations.

Significance of teej
the importance of Teej is mainly two-fold:
First, as a festival for women , Teej celebrates the victory of a wife's love and devotion towards her husband- an important factor in Hinduism- symbolized by the union of Shiva and Parvati.
Second, Teej ushers in the advent of the monsoons- the season of rains bringing in a reason to celebrate when people can take a break from the sweltering heat and enjoy the swing of the monsoon- "Sawan ke jhooley." Besides, it's an occasion for married women to visit their parents and return with gifts for their in-laws and spouse. So, Teej provides an opportunity to renew family bonds.

At this day mainly women prefer to wear green sarees with new bangles and bindi.

The dishes made on this day are:
GHEWAR
MALPUA
MANGO AND MINT KHEER
NARIYAL lADOOS
SHIR