Teej (Hariyali / Hartalika)

A monsoon festival celebrating Goddess Parvati and marital bliss, observed by women with swings, henna, folk songs and fasting — especially in Rajasthan.

The festival honors the intense devotion of Goddess Parvati, who underwent austere penance for 108 lifetimes to finally win the love and acceptance of Lord Shiva as her husband, symbolizing the strength of true commitment.

Women wear vibrant green or red traditional dresses (lehengas and sarees), apply complex henna (mehndi) designs, ride highly decorated swings (jhulas) tied to large trees, sing specialized folk songs, and participate in colorful community fairs.

Key rituals include observing strict fasts (Vrat), performing the step-by-step worship of clay idols of Shiva and Parvati, and receiving 'Sindhara' gifts (consisting of bangles, sweets, and clothes) from mothers-in-law or parents.

Married women believe that observing the Teej fast brings lasting health and longevity to their husbands, while unmarried women pray to find a life partner possessing the noble virtues of Lord Shiva.

Rooted in ancient agrarian and Puranic traditions, Teej has been preserved through generations as an oral and ritual tradition, reinforced by royal patronage in historic kingdoms like Jaipur.

Teej brings a beautiful wave of color and music to the green monsoon landscape. You will see groups of women in fine silks laughing and singing folk songs on swings hanging from large mango trees, their hands decorated with dark henna patterns. The local markets are crowded with rows of green bangles and unique sweets, capturing the fresh energy of the rains and the deep joy of traditional sisterhood.