Hariyali Teej:

Hariyali Teej is a significant festival celebrated predominantly in North India, especially in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. It marks the advent of the monsoon season and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. The festival is also known as Shravani Teej as it falls in the Hindu month of Shravan (July-August). Women celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm, praying for marital bliss and the well-being of their spouses.

Teej festivity is observed with much fanfare by women in North Indian states, especially in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. Three famous Teej(s) which are celebrated by women during Sawan and Bhadrapada months are -

1. Hariyali Teej

2. Kajari Teej

3. Hartalika Teej

Other Teej festivals like Akha Teej which is also known as Akshaya Tritiya and Gangaur Tritiya are not part of above three Teej(s). Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej and Hartalika Teej are special Teej as these falls during Shravana and Bhadrapada months. Shravana month and Bhadrapada months currently coincide with Varsha Ritu or monsoon period and the timing of these three Teej makes them more special to women folks.

Hariyali Teej has its roots deeply embedded in Hindu mythology and culture. The most popular legend associated with Hariyali Teej is that of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, it is believed that this festival commemorates the reunion of Goddess Parvati with her consort Lord Shiva. According to legends, Parvati performed severe penance and took 108 births to win Shiva's heart and be accepted as his wife. Impressed by her dedication and devotion, Shiva finally accepted Parvati as his wife on the third day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Shravan. This day is celebrated as Hariyali Teej, symbolizing the eternal love and devotion between Shiva and Parvati.

1. Fasting: Women observe a fast, often without water, to seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati for a happy and prosperous married life.

2. Worship: Perform puja with utmost devotion. Offer prayers to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, and read or listen to the Teej Vrat Katha.

3. Suhag Items: Married women wear traditional attire, adorn themselves with jewelry, and apply henna on their hands. They also exchange suhag items (symbols of marital status) like bangles, sindoor, and bindi.

4. Greenery: As the festival is associated with the monsoon season, decorate homes with green plants and flowers. Women often wear green-colored clothes, symbolizing nature and fertility.

5. Swings: Set up decorated swings in gardens or courtyards, and enjoy swinging while singing traditional Teej songs. This is a symbolic representation of the arrival of the monsoon.

6. Charity: Donate food, clothes, and other essentials to the needy. This act of kindness is believed to bring prosperity and happiness.

Avoid:

1. Neglecting Rituals: Avoid neglecting the rituals and traditions associated with the festival. Participate actively and perform the puja with devotion.

2. Consuming Food/Water: If observing a Nirjala fast (without water), refrain from consuming food and water throughout the day.

3. Negativity: Maintain a positive and joyous atmosphere. Avoid arguments and negative thoughts.

4. Ignoring Elders: Seek blessings from elders and follow their guidance in performing rituals. Disrespecting them is considered inauspicious.

5. Overexertion: While it is important to participate in the festivities, avoid overexerting yourself, especially if you are fasting.

How Hariyali Teej is Celebrated

Hariyali Teej is celebrated with great fervor and joy. The celebrations begin with women adorning themselves in beautiful traditional attire, preferably in green, and applying intricate henna designs on their hands. Here’s a detailed look at the various aspects of the celebration:

1. Sringar and Mehendi:

Women dress in vibrant green sarees or lehengas, signifying the lush greenery of the monsoon season. They embellish themselves with jewelry and adorn their hands with intricate mehendi designs, which are considered auspicious and symbolize marital bliss.

2. Swings:

Decorated swings are set up in gardens, courtyards, or homes. Women and girls take turns swinging while singing traditional Teej songs, celebrating the arrival of the monsoon. This activity adds a playful and joyous element to the festival.

3. Puja and Rituals:

A special puja is performed where women worship Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. An idol or image of Parvati is adorned with new clothes and jewelry. Offerings of fruits, flowers, and sweets are made, and women pray for the well-being and longevity of their husbands.

4. Fasting:

Many women observe a strict fast, often without water, as a mark of their devotion. They break the fast only after performing the evening puja and seeking blessings from the deities.

5. Teej Songs and Dance:

Traditional Teej songs are sung, and women often engage in folk dances, celebrating the festival with music and dance. This creates a lively and festive atmosphere.

6. Exchanging Gifts:

It is customary for married women to receive gifts from their parents, including new clothes, jewelry, and sweets. These gifts, known as Sindhara, symbolize their parents’ blessings and love. Sindhara (सिंधारा) is a bucket of gift which is sent to the daughter and her in-laws by the parents of married girl. Sindhara contains homemade sweets, Ghewar (घेवर), Henna, bangles etc. Due to custom of gifting Sindhara to the daughter and her in-laws during this Teej, Hariyali Teej is also known as Sindhara Teej.

7. Community Celebrations:

In many regions, community events and fairs are organized where women gather to celebrate together. These gatherings include cultural performances, singing, dancing, and feasting.

Importance of Hariyali Teej

1. Hariyali Teej is primarily celebrated by married women to seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati for a happy and harmonious married life. It is a day to celebrate the love and bond between husband and wife.

2. The festival exemplifies the deep devotion of Goddess Parvati towards Lord Shiva. It teaches the values of perseverance, dedication, and unwavering faith in one’s love.

3. Hariyali Teej coincides with the monsoon season, celebrating the lush greenery and fertility of nature. It is a time to appreciate the beauty of the natural world and the blessings of rain.

4. The festival is an integral part of Indian culture and traditions. It promotes social bonding and community spirit as women come together to celebrate, sing, and dance.

5. Observing the fast and performing the rituals with devotion is believed to bring spiritual benefits. It is a time for introspection, prayer, and seeking the blessings of the divine.

Pooja Vidhi

1. The house is cleaned, sanitised, and adorned with flowers on this day.

2. The home is adorned with a Shiv Lingam, Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, and Lord Ganesha.

3. Following this, the deities are worshipped in a sixteen-step ceremony, and the Puja continues all night.

   Women do Nirjala Vrat, during which they abstain from eating or drinking anything for the whole day.

4. Both married and single women may perform the vrat.

5. Married women fast for the blessings of wealth, harmony, and long life for their spouse and family.

6. Unmarried women fast in the aim of meeting a decent spouse and leading a happy marriage.

7. After 24 hours, when all the rites associated with the Hariyali Teej Puja and Vrat are performed, women can consume water.

Mantras:

• त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
  उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥ -  

• ॐ नमो भगवते रुद्राय नमः 

• ॐ नमः शिवाय

• ॐ साम्ब सदा शिवाय नम:

• ओम तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे, महादेवाय धीमहि, तन्नो रुद्र: प्रचोदयात्

• नागेंद्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय भस्मांग रागाय महेश्वराय
  नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगंबराय तस्मे न काराय नम: शिवाय:

• कर्पूर गौरं करुणावतारं, संसार सारं भुजगेंद्र हरं, सदा वसंतं हृदयारविंदे, भवं भवानी सहितं नमामि।

• ऊँ महादेवाय नम:

1.अगर आप धन प्राप्त करना चाहते हैं तो आप ॐ नम: शिवाय मंत्र का 108 बार जाप करें। इस मंत्र को आप रुद्राक्ष की माला से ही जपे। मंत्र पढ़ने के समय शिव जी के सामने शुद्ध देसी घी का दीपक जलाएं।

2.अगर आपकी कोई मनोकामना पूरी नहीं हो रही है तो आप आज नागेंद्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय भस्मांग रागाय महेश्वराय
नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगंबराय तस्मे न काराय नम: शिवाय: मंत्र का जाप करें। इससे जल्द ही आपकी इच्छा पूरी होगी।

3.सोमवार के दिन सिर्फ शिव जी का ही नहीं बल्कि माता पार्वती का ध्यान करने एवं उनके मंत्र का जाप करने से भी खुशहाली आती हे। इसके लिए ॐ ऐं ह्रीं शिव गौरीमय, ह्रीं ऐं ॐ मंत्र का जप करें।

4.अगर किसी की कुंडली में मृत्यु योग हो या दुर्घटनाग्रस्त होने का डर वो तो आज शिव जी के  महामृत्युंजय मंत्र का जाप करें। ये एक प्रभावशाली मंत्र है। इसके जब से प्राणों की रक्षा होती है।

5.महिलाएं अपने पति की लंबी आयु एवं सौभाग्य के लिए भगवान शिव का दूध से अभिषेक करते हुए
ॐ ह्रीं नम: शिवाय ह्रीं ॐ मंत्र का जप करें।

6.धन प्राप्ति के लिए मां लक्ष्मी के ॐ श्रीं ऐं ॐ मंत्र का जप करें। ये मंत्र शाम के समय लक्ष्मी मां की मूर्ति व तस्वीर रखकर, दीपक जलाकर पढ़ें। मंत्र को कमल गट्टे व चंदन की माला से जपें।

7.यदि किसी व्यक्ति की शादी में देरी हो रही है व रुकावट आ रही हो तो शिव और पार्वती के इस मंत्र, हे गौरी शंकरार्धांगि यथा त्वं शंकरप्रिया, तथा मां कुरु कल्याणी कान्तकांता सुदुर्लभाम। ये मंत्र आपको 21 व 51 बार पढ़ना होगा।

9.परिवार की खुशहाली एवं शांति बनाएं रखने के लिए ॐ साम्ब सदा शिवाय नम: मंत्र का जप करें। ये बहुत प्रभावशाली मंत्र है। इसे नियमित तौर पर पढ़ने से परिवार पर कभी संकट नहीं आता है। परिवार के सदस्यों के बीच बेहतर तालमेल रहता हैं।

10.मनोकामनाओं की पूर्ति के लिए भगवान शिव के अलावा श्रीकृष्ण के मंत्र भी बहुत प्रभावशाली हैं। इन्हीं में से एक है, श्रीकृष्ण:शरणं मम्। इस मंत्र के जप से व्यक्ति पर कभी कोई मुसीबत नहीं आती है। ऐसे लोगों की शत्रुओं से भी रक्षा होती है।

Hariyali Teej is a vibrant and joyous festival that celebrates marital bliss, devotion, and the beauty of nature. Through its rich traditions and rituals, it fosters a sense of community and cultural heritage. Women, in particular, find this festival significant as they seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati for a happy and prosperous married life. Celebrated with swings, songs, dances, and heartfelt prayers, Hariyali Teej remains a cherished and integral part of the Indian festive calendar.

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