Hariyali Teej 2025 Brings Monsoon Joy & Spiritual Fasting Together
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Celebrated during the lush green monsoon season, Hariyali Teej is a joyous festival that blends religious devotion with cultural richness. It marks the auspicious union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, observed primarily by women who pray for marital harmony, prosperity and family well-being. The name ‘Hariyali’ refers to greenery, symbolising nature’s bloom during Sawan, and Teej refers to the third day of the lunar fortnight. In 2025, the festival will be celebrated with traditional fervour across many parts of India, highlighting both its spiritual depth and the vibrant customs associated with it.
Women observe a strict fast, known as Teej Vrat, often without consuming even a drop of water, to emulate Parvati’s devotion. This is believed to bring blessings for a harmonious married life and fulfilment of wishes. Unmarried girls also keep the fast with the hope of being blessed with an ideal partner.
One of the highlights is the use of decorated swings, hung from trees or within homes, where women swing while singing folk songs. It is a joyful ritual symbolising feminine energy, nature and harmony. Traditional songs about love, longing and divine romance are passed down through generations and sung in chorus, enhancing the communal spirit.
Women perform the Hariyali Teej puja by offering prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, along with reciting or listening to the Teej Katha (the sacred story behind the fast). Offerings include sweets like ghewar and fruits, and diya-lit aartis conclude the puja.
Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, Hariyali Teej is celebrated with regal grandeur, especially in cities like Jaipur. A grand procession featuring a beautifully decorated idol of Goddess Teej is carried through the streets on a palanquin. Folk music, traditional dance and women in bright green attire transform the city into a visual spectacle. Ghewar, the iconic Rajasthani sweet, is distributed widely.
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
In regions of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, women gather in groups to observe the vrat and recite folk songs. The use of swings, exchange of festive items, and application of mehndi are integral to the celebrations. It is a time for married women to reconnect with their maternal homes and relive shared traditions.
Madhya Pradesh and Haryana
In Haryana and parts of Madhya Pradesh, the emphasis is on community gatherings where women perform group pujas and cultural events like singing competitions and folk dances. Girls and women exchange gifts, symbolic of goodwill and blessings.
Delhi and Punjab
Urban areas like Delhi and parts of Punjab also observe Teej with devotion, though on a smaller scale. Temples organise special pujas and cultural events, and women from all age groups participate enthusiastically.
The festival’s focus on greenery and monsoon aligns it closely with eco-spiritual themes, urging people to appreciate and preserve nature. In modern times, it also serves as a moment of pause and reconnection — to oneself, to tradition, and to loved ones.
In 2025, Hariyali Teej not only brings blessings through fasts and rituals but also rekindles a sense of cultural pride and spiritual grounding.
The Sacred Meaning Behind Hariyali Teej
At its core, Hariyali Teej signifies the reunion of Shiva and Parvati, making it a day of devotion, love and spiritual fulfilment. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati underwent 108 arduous rebirths and severe penance to be reunited with Lord Shiva. Pleased with her unwavering devotion, he accepted her as his eternal consort on this very day.Women observe a strict fast, known as Teej Vrat, often without consuming even a drop of water, to emulate Parvati’s devotion. This is believed to bring blessings for a harmonious married life and fulfilment of wishes. Unmarried girls also keep the fast with the hope of being blessed with an ideal partner.
Traditional Practices and Observances
The observances begin early with women dressing in green sarees or salwar suits, applying mehndi, wearing bangles and adorning themselves with jewellery. Green symbolises fertility, prosperity and joy during the monsoon.One of the highlights is the use of decorated swings, hung from trees or within homes, where women swing while singing folk songs. It is a joyful ritual symbolising feminine energy, nature and harmony. Traditional songs about love, longing and divine romance are passed down through generations and sung in chorus, enhancing the communal spirit.
Women perform the Hariyali Teej puja by offering prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, along with reciting or listening to the Teej Katha (the sacred story behind the fast). Offerings include sweets like ghewar and fruits, and diya-lit aartis conclude the puja.
Regional Variations in Hariyali Teej Celebrations
Though commonly celebrated across northern India, the regional expressions of Hariyali Teej vary in form and fervour:Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, Hariyali Teej is celebrated with regal grandeur, especially in cities like Jaipur. A grand procession featuring a beautifully decorated idol of Goddess Teej is carried through the streets on a palanquin. Folk music, traditional dance and women in bright green attire transform the city into a visual spectacle. Ghewar, the iconic Rajasthani sweet, is distributed widely.
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
In regions of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, women gather in groups to observe the vrat and recite folk songs. The use of swings, exchange of festive items, and application of mehndi are integral to the celebrations. It is a time for married women to reconnect with their maternal homes and relive shared traditions.
Madhya Pradesh and Haryana
In Haryana and parts of Madhya Pradesh, the emphasis is on community gatherings where women perform group pujas and cultural events like singing competitions and folk dances. Girls and women exchange gifts, symbolic of goodwill and blessings.
Delhi and Punjab
Urban areas like Delhi and parts of Punjab also observe Teej with devotion, though on a smaller scale. Temples organise special pujas and cultural events, and women from all age groups participate enthusiastically.
Symbolism and Social Relevance
Hariyali Teej is not just a religious festival but also a celebration of womanhood, nature and tradition. The vrat is an expression of inner strength and spiritual discipline. The communal gatherings offer an opportunity for social bonding, storytelling, and cultural expression. It reminds society of the sacred role women play in nurturing faith, family and culture.The festival’s focus on greenery and monsoon aligns it closely with eco-spiritual themes, urging people to appreciate and preserve nature. In modern times, it also serves as a moment of pause and reconnection — to oneself, to tradition, and to loved ones.
Celebrating Hariyali Teej In Today’s Times
As families grow more urbanised and nuclear, festivals like Hariyali Teej offer a chance to reconnect with roots. Whether celebrated in a traditional village courtyard or a city apartment balcony, the spirit of devotion and festivity remains unchanged. Women across generations come together, celebrating shared values, divine love, and the promise of prosperity.In 2025, Hariyali Teej not only brings blessings through fasts and rituals but also rekindles a sense of cultural pride and spiritual grounding.
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