Hariyali Teej is the festival observed by married women for the health and welfare of their husbands. Bhagwan Shiva and Goddess Parvathi Devi are invoked for the festival. The festival is grandly celebrated in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttranchal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. The festival also symbolizes fertility.
Hariyali Teej occurs on the Shukla Paksha Trithiya Tithi of the Shravan month. For the Year 2023, it occurs on Saturday, 19th August 2023. The exact duration of the Trithiya Tithi has to be ascertained from the respective regional calendar.
Women observe fasting for the whole day and worship Bhagwan Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Some observe phalhari Vrat by eating just fruits while some observe nirjal Vrat by not consuming even water.
As per the legend, it is believed that on the Shukla Paksha Trithiya of Shravan month, Bhagwan Shiva had accepted to marry Sri Parvathi Devi pleased with Her penance. Hence this festival is observed for by unmarried girls to get good husband and the married women for the welfare and long life of their husbands.
Women wear traditional attire and apply mehendi on their palms and wear green color bangles on this day. They also play on the swings. The green color is said to represent auspiciousness. In some regions, the festival is also called as Choti Teej, Sawan Teej, Shravan Teej, Jhulla leela and Sindhara Teej.
The idol / pictures of Bhagwan Ganesh, Bhagwan Shiva and Sri Parvathi Devi are kept at the Puja place at homes. Lamps and incense sticks are lit. The Deities are decorated with flowers. Chandan, haldi and Kumkum are applied. Puja / archana is done to the Deities and sattvic food is offered as prasadam. Slokams pertaining to Bhagwan Shiva and Sri Parvathi are read and recited. Bhajans are also held.
As per tradition, married women receive gifts from their parents on this day. Sri Parvathi Devi is worshipped as Teej Devi as She had done severe penance to get married to Bhagwan Shiva. In some places, women carry pots on their heads and sing songs in praise of Sri Parvathi Devi. In some places, the idols of Sri Radha and Sri Krishna are kept on ornamented swings and taken out in procession.
