Hariyali Teej 2017: Welcoming The Rain Gods

Hariyali Teej in 2017 is on 26th of July. Hariyali Teej falls on the third day after the new moon or Amavasya of Shraavana month or Sawan month of the Hindu calendar. Hariyali Teej is also known as Madhusrava Tritiya or Choti Teej. Hariyali Teej is celebrated by women with much adoration for the very reason that it comes during the monsoon season. Women fast on Teej. Married women fast for their husband's good health and prosperity while unmarried women fast to get a husband of their choice.

The three Teejs celebrated by women are :

1. Hartalika Teej
2. Kajari Teej
3. Hariyali Teej

Hartalika Teej

Hartalika Teej 2017 date is 24 August. It falls on the third day of the first fortnight of the month "Bhadra". Hartalika Teej is the most widely celebrated Teej of the three mentioned above. It is the most difficult of the lot too, as women must fast without food and water just like Goddess Parvati. It is believed that, by doing this married women would be blessed with their husband's good health and long life, whereas unmarried women would be blessed with husband of their choice. On Hartalika Teej, women worship Moon by offering curd and flowers. Later on women gather for some fun and frolicking.

Kajari Teej

Kajari Teej 2017 date is 10 August. Kajari Teej is celebrated on Krishna Paksha Tritiya day which is the third day of Shravan month. Kajari/Kajli Teej is very popular in the Bundi district in Rajasthan. On this day neem pooja is performed, Cows are worshipped by feeding them food. Only after the cows are fed everyone else is allowed to have their meal. Then, a grand procession of Goddess Parvati is carried around by the devotees to get her blessings.

Hariyali Teej - Singhara Teej

Hariyali Teej as the name itself suggests is a celebration of all things green. "Hariyali" meaning greenery, is a festival which involves women dressed in green clothes and green bangles. They offer prayers to Goddess Parvati which marks the occasion of the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. As this occasion takes place during the monsoon when the rain gods have showered everyone with love and made the surrounding lush green. This festival brings out the child in everyone. Swings are tied to the branches of trees and large gatherings are made where songs and celebrations take place.

Mythological Importance of Teej Festival

Hariyali Teej is celebrated on the third day of Shukla Paksha and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Hariyali Teej is celebrated to mark the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to legend, Goddess Parvati was reborn and kept 100 years of strict fasting to win back the heart of her husband. This festival is celebrated to the devotion and love of Goddess Parvathi towards Lord Shiva. Women observing "Nirjala Vrat" on Teej will be blessed with long life of their husband.

Rituals and customs on Hariyali Teej

While celebrating Hariyali Teej, one should also know the rituals associated with it. This day brings lot of joy among women, as they will get a lot of importance from everyone. Women get gifts, new clothes, ornaments from their mother-in-law. This day which is called "Sindhari" is celebrated one day prior to Teej. Newly married women are called back to their parents' house to celebrate their first Teej.

Women celebrate this festivals with much zest and splendor. Mehndi is applied to the hands and new clothes are worn. It is believed auspicious to wear green coloured clothes and green bangles on this day as a symbol of thanking Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva for the monsoon, which has brought greenery all around. Then, women gather in groups and perform folk dances, play on swings which are tied to the branches of trees, dance and make merry. In Gujarat, special arrangements for Garba dance are made. Women carry traditional pots that are decorated very beautifully on their head and dance. In Maharashtra, women carry large baskets full of fruits, coconuts, green bangles and green vegetables as offerings to Goddess Parvati to seek her blessings. Overall, Hariyali Teej is one festival where women show complete involvement and enjoy celebrating the festival to the fullest.

Hariyali Teej celebrations in Vrindhavan

This year, Hariyali Teej is going to be celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. Hariyali Teej is celebrated every year in the midst of the rainy season, when the surroundings are filled with lush green trees and plants, flowers blooming, birds chirping and singing their sweet songs that come as melody to the ears. Swings are hung all around the temple premises for the deities to enjoy, hence comes the name Julan-Lila. Stories of Lord Krishna and Radha are narrated in the temples and songs about their life and the bond that the two shared are sung. It is believed that Lord Krishna and Radha would enjoy spending time in Vrindavan, playing in the swings, singing songs and welcome the monsoon bliss. At Banaran Dham, decorated swings with green leaves and colourful flowers are hung for the divine couple to enjoy.

Large crowds visit the Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan. Every Teej the Bankey Bihari Deity is moved out of the temple and specially decorated with ornaments and colorful dress for the visitors to have an open glance of the lord. The precious "Golden Swing" is also brought out of the temple decorated with green leaves and flowers, and the deity is placed on the swing to celebrate Lord's' wonderful lilas at Vrindavan. Wishing you all a very Happy Teej..!!.