Haryali Teej
When monsoon arrives in this country, it brings a whole lot of festivals like Rakshabandhan, Onam, Janmashtami with it. Haryali Teej is also one such festival which is celebrated by married women (unmarried girls may also celebrate) of the country in the anticipation of monsoon. This is observed mainly by Hindu women in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar. It is more mainly celebrated in the North India, specifically in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. There are 3 Teej festivals celebrated in the country known as Haryali Teej, Kajari Teej and Hartalika Teej.
- Haryali Teej : Third day of bright half of Shravan month
- Kajari Teej : Third day of dark fortnight of Bhaado month
- Hartalika Teej : Third day of bright half of Bhaado month
This festival is somewhat similar to another Hindu festival known as Karva Chauth, which is observed in the month of Kartik according to the Hindu calendar. The story behind Haryali Teej is linked with the holy union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
The Story behind
According to ancient texts, after the losing his wife Sati, Lord Shiva was grief-stricken and distanced himself from everybody. Sati later reincarnated in the form of Parvati but was not accepted by Lord Shiva. She practiced extreme asceticism and fasts for 108 subsequent births and then, in her 108th birth, she was accepted by Lord Shiva as his wife. Since that day, the goddess is revered as Teej Mata and married women celebrate this festival for Mata Parvati’s blessings for a happy married life. Even unmarried girls celebrate this festival and pray for a righteous man for themselves.
Rituals for the day
The day typically starts with women adorning themselves with beautiful sarees and jewelry. They also observe fast for long life of their husbands and a happy married life. Some consume water and milk while they fast, while some observe ‘nirjala vrat’ where the women do not consume even a single drop of water.
They apply mehendi on their hands which is considered auspicious. Bel patra, fruits, flowers and turmeric coated rice are offered to Goddess Parvati. In some regions of the country, a swing is tied to a tree and women take turns to enjoy the swing (jhula). Folk songs and folk tales are a major attraction during this festival.
Girls who are engaged as well as married receive gifts from their in-laws before the festival. These gifts include nice clothes, bangles, special jewelry, mehendi and sweets. The sweet that is offered in the state of Rajasthan is a regional special sweet known as Ghewar. All these gifts are known as Sindara.
At the end, the women break their fasts by having a hearty vegetarian meal which includes traditional Indian delicacies.
Date and Timings of Haryali Teej 2020
Date – 23rd July 2020
Sunrise – 05:38 am (23rd July 2020)
Sunset – 07:18 pm (23rd July 2020)
Tritiya Tithi Aarambh – 07:21 pm (22nd July 2020)
Tritiya Tithi Samapth – 05:02 pm (23rd July 2020)