The festival of “Hariyali Teej” celebrated on the third day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan is very important for women in the whole of North India. In this month, due to monsoon, dark and dense clouds are in full bloom. Due to rain, greenery is seen all around, hence it is named “Hariyali Teej” festival. The enthusiasm and
joy of the youth and women towards the Teej festival has been described by Haryana’s Surya Kavi Pandit Lakhmichand in his Haryanvi Ragini, from which it seems that this Teej festival infuses new zeal, passion and new energy in women. The lyrics of the Ragini are—–
All around the garden green thick clouds of salmon.
Girls sing songs of melodious desire.
In the entire North India including Haryana, Sawan and Phalgun months are celebrated as Mast-Maas. While Holi-Phaag and Dulhandi festival is celebrated in Phalgun, Hariyali Teej festival is celebrated in the month of Sawan. Anyway, festivals in India start from “Teej Parv” and are celebrated between Holi. Therefore, the fun of festivals starts from “Teej” with joy and enthusiasm which remains in people throughout the year.
Teej festival has religious and great cultural significance. It is also seen as the reunion of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. On this day, women pray for the long life and happiness and prosperity of their husbands. Unmarried girls keep a fast to wish for a suitable groom. On Teej festival, women keep a Nirjala fast, due to which they remain without water for the whole day. This fast is also called ‘Nirahar Vrat’. Women take bath early in the morning and wear clean clothes and worship Lord Shiva, Mother Parvati and Lord Ganesha. On this day, especially the idols of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati are decorated with clothes and jewellery symbolizing marital bliss.
On the occasion of Teej festival, brothers take various traditional and modern sweets to their married sisters’ in-laws’ house. Along with this, they also take clothes for their dressing. In the areas of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, this rich tradition is called Kothli. Girls distribute these sweets in their in-laws’ house among the neighbors and the families they meet. Pandit Lakhmichand has also said in his Ragini-
Whose bag is it and whose sindhara is it that I distribute the balls in full quantity.
Sweets and dishes like Ghevar, Gujiya, Ferni, Ghevar, sweet biscuits, Batase, Gulgule and Suhali are especially popular on Teej festival. Women make these dishes and share them with each other and celebrate.
On Teej festival, women wear red and green traditional clothes and swing on the swings. This sight further increases the importance of Teej festival. Along with swings hanging on trees, these women perform traditional dances with folk songs. On this day, women wear red and green clothes along with bangles of the same colors, which are a symbol of marital bliss and greenery. Applying mehendi is also an important part of this festival.
Teej festival is also a day to express love and gratitude towards nature. At this time, it is rainy season and trees and plants become green. Women put swings on trees on this day and enjoy the beauty of the environment. Along with this, people also plant trees in the courtyards of their houses and on the banks of ponds and tanks in villages.
Teej festival is an important part of Indian culture, which connects us with nature, family, environment and religious traditions. This festival is not only important from the religious point of view, but it is also a symbol of love and unity among women. By observing Teej festival, we can keep our traditions and culture alive and explain its importance to the coming generations. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and gaiety throughout North India. Even in Haryana, “State Level Teej Festival” is organized at the Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh. In this festival, cultural programs based on the folk culture of Haryana as well as various states are presented. His Excellency the Governor and the Chief Minister congratulate the people of the state. All the administrative top officials of the state also congratulate and wish each other on the Teej festival in the ceremony. Not only this, people enjoy swings as well as tea, paan and sweets in the Raj Bhavan premises. In this way, this festival enriches the Indian tradition along with love, affection and environment.
