Hariyali Teej is a famous festival of Hindus. This festival is celebrated on Tritiya of Shukla Paksha of Shravan month. Hindu women fast on this day. It is especially celebrated in all the cities of northern India. Swings occur from house to house. The group of women sings folk songs. Beautiful dishes, gunjia, ghevar, fanny etc. are sent to Sindhara in Savan. It is of special importance to apply henna on this Teej. Women also put feet on the feet, which is considered a sign of Married. It is believed that Shiva and Parvati had a reunion on this day. On this day Hindu women worship Lord Shiva and Parvati. This day is also known as Chhoti Teej and Shravan Teej.
It is said that Lord Shiva gave this blessing at the behest of Goddess Parvati ji that if a virgin girl keeps this fast, then the obstacles in her marriage will be removed. On this day Lord Shiva granted Goddess Parvati the boon to accept her as his wife.

On this day, Rajputs wear red colored clothes in Rajasthan. The ride of Mata Parvati is taken out. During the reign of King Suraj Mal, Pathan kidnapped some women and took them on this day. Whom Raja Surajmal rescued and sacrificed himself. From the same day, the practice of wrestling started here.
On this day, women fast and listen to the story of Teeri Hariyali. Lord Shiva and Parvati are worshiped. Married women observe this fast because their husbands should be long and their family should have happiness.
Hariyali Teej Vrat Katha
According to the legend associated with Hariyali Teej, Lord Shiva reminds Goddess Parvati about the number of times she took rebirths to win his heart. Mata Parvati had forgotten all that happened in the 107 previous births. Therefore Lord Shiva narrated the stories of her struggles, determination and perseverance to her. Mata Parvati took her 108th birth at the house of the King of Himalayas.
During this birth, Mata Parvati performed intense penance to win Lord Shiva’s heart. She survived on dry leaves after giving up food and water. She braved harsh weather, hail and storm and continued with her penance. After seeing her undergo so much pain, her father was distraught.
A few days later, Devarshi Narada Muni visited her father’s palace as Lord Vishnu’s representative with a marriage proposal. After learning that Lord Vishnu has expressed his desire to marry his daughter, the father beamed with joy, but this news left Parvati devastated. Therefore, she sought one of her friend’s help and hid in a thick forest. The king of Himalayas sent his soldiers to nook and corner, but all their efforts went in vain. Meanwhile, Lord Shiva appeared before Parvati and granted her the boon of having him as her husband. He also asked her to inform her father about her decision not to marry Lord Vishnu. Eventually, after learning about his daughter’s desire, the father invited Lord Shiva and got Parvati married to him.
Therefore, on the day of Hariyali Teej (Tritiya Tithi, Shukla Paksha Shravan), women worship Lord Shiva and Parvati and seek their blessings for a blissful married life. It is also a special occasion for unmarried girls, who wish to marry the man of their choice.
The Significance of Hariyali Teej
“Hariyali” means greenery, and the festival coincides with the lush monsoon season, typically in July or August (Sawan month). As crops begin to grow and nature renews itself, Hariyali Teej honors this abundance and fertility, making it a deeply seasonal and spiritual celebration.
For Love, Marriage, and Womanhood
Hariyali Teej holds special meaning for married women, who observe fasts (vrat) for the long life and well-being of their husbands, and for unmarried girls, who pray for a loving future partner. It’s also a moment for women to come together, share joy, express solidarity, and celebrate womanhood through traditional rituals, dress, and dance.
Traditional Celebrations and Rituals
The beauty of Hariyali Teej lies in its vibrant and deeply symbolic customs:
Fasting and Worship
Women, especially in North India, observe a strict nirjala vrat-a fast without food or water-throughout the day. They offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, often listening to or reading the Teej Katha, which narrates the story of Parvati’s devotion.
Solah Shringar and Green Attire
The color green, symbolic of fertility and prosperity, dominates the festival. Women wear green sarees or lehengas, adorn themselves with solah shringar (the 16 traditional adornments), and apply mehndi (henna), which is considered a sign of luck and love.
Swings, Songs, and Folk Traditions
Beautifully decorated swings (jhoolas) are hung from trees or courtyards, and women sing folk songs of love and monsoon as they take turns swinging. These melodies and playful rituals evoke the charm of rural India and connect generations through culture.

Festive Foods
No celebration is complete without sweets. Delicacies like ghewar, kheer, malpua, and gujiya are prepared at home or shared with loved ones as part of festive offerings.
Teej Across India
Though most prominent in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, Teej is celebrated in different forms across India:
– In Rajasthan, royal cities like Jaipur host grand Teej processions, featuring decorated elephants, folk dancers, and palanquins carrying idols of Parvati.
– In Punjab, Teej is observed as a festival of daughters, and parents send gifts (sinjhara) to their married daughters, including clothes, bangles, sweets, and mehndi.