As the rains bring life to the parched earth, the festival of Hariyali Teej is celebrated with vibrant enthusiasm across India, concentrated in the northern parts with Haryana being the only state with an official holiday on the occasion. Primarily observed by women, Teej marks the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, symbolizing marital bliss and devotion. On August 7th, 2024, women around the country will be celebrating Teej.
Hariyali Teej, literally translating to "Green Teej," reflects the lush greenery that adorns the landscape during this time. The festival is particularly significant in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana, where traditions and rituals come alive in their most colourful forms. Women clad in resplendent green attire gather to sing traditional songs, dance, and partake in rituals that honour the divine couple. Intricately designed mehendi (henna) adorns their hands, symbolising love and fertility. The swings, often decorated with flowers, are a distinctive feature of the celebration, representing the joyous spirit of the festival.
Aakansha Gahlot Sajwan, a resident of Dehradun has fond memories of Teej at her family homes. “Growing up, I remember my aunts would come over or we would visit them in Muzaffarnagar. We would put up a giant swing and decorate it with flowers! The next day (on Teej) we would all spend the afternoons helping the elderly women cook. Even though we wouldn’t actually cook much.”
Now she applies mehendi at home, keeps a fast, does a small offering to the gods and wears green coloured clothes. “Although there are a lot of parties happening now where people would dress up, have dance performances and so much food, I like the familiarity of the happy times of Teej being a homely affair with kids running around eating Ghewar,” Gahlot opines.
The festival also fosters a sense of community, as women come together to share stories, blessings, and hopes for a prosperous future. Travel blogger Divyakshi Gupta hails from Govardhan in Uttar Pradesh where she celebrated the festival in early years. “It's a time when we dress up, fast, and enjoy swinging on beautifully decorated swings. Although I no longer fast, which is traditionally done in honour of the gods, I still love getting dolled up,” she shares.
“Women wearing bangles, putting henna and singing songs of Shravan (monsoon) signifies it for anyone who has seen the celebrations. My fondest memory is when my Mom actually bought an egg swing for me for Teej and decorated it with flowers,” Gupta highlighted.
With its close origins in Rajasthan, the grandeur of Hariyali Teej in the state is unmatched. Aakansha experienced Teej in Jodhpur some years back and claims it was fabulous, “with people dancing to Rajasthani songs on the roads, mostly women wearing beautiful green dresses.” True to her words, processions featuring richly decorated idols of Parvati are carried through the streets, accompanied by folk music and dance in Rajasthan. Markets buzz with activity, offering sweets, jewellery, and vibrant saris, turning the celebration into a visual and cultural spectacle.
Through the vibrant festivities of Hariyali Teej, the essence of Indian culture and the enduring power of traditions are beautifully showcased, celebrating not just the divine union but also the bonds of family and friendship.