Happy Hariyali Teej 2024!Hariyali Teej 2024: Hariyali Teej is a significant Hindu festival primarily celebrated in the northern and western parts of India, including states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.
Also known as Shravani Teej, Hariyali Teej falls in the Hindu month of Shravan, during the monsoon season, marked by the lush greenery that gives the festival its name—’Hariyali’ meaning ‘greenery’ in Hindi.
Observed two days earlier than Nag Panchami, Hariyali Teej is celebrated on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the Shravana month, honouring Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This year, as per the Gregorian calendar, Hariyali Teej will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
It celebrates devotion, renewal, and the vibrant essence of nature, while primarily commemorating the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, symbolising the ideal of marital harmony and eternal love.
Parvati, a goddess, underwent 107 reincarnations before marrying Shiva on her 108th birth. She renounced worldly ties and lived on dry leaves, but Shiva remained unaware of her feelings.
To demonstrate her love, she embarked on a journey to the Himalayas, where she crafted a Shiva Lingam. Lord Shiva appeared and acknowledged her as his wife due to her fast and rituals.
This festival established the belief that sincerity in fasting would bring blessings from Shiva and Parvati, so married women undertake rigorous fasting and prayer, seeking blessings for the well-being and longevity of their husbands, while unmarried women pray for a devoted spouse like Shiva.
Women enjoying Teej celebrations at Community Centre in Sector 38 West in Chandigarh, in 2023. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)
Celebrations of Hariyali Teej are vibrant and colourful, as women dress in green clothes, adorn themselves with beautiful jewellery, and apply intricate henna designs on their hands.
Singing traditional songs, dancing, and swinging on beautifully decorated swings are integral parts of the festivities. Communities often come together for feasts and rituals, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere.









