Haryali Teej, Chhoti Teej, Shravana Teej, Teeyan,
(07. 08. 2024)
Rohit Kumar Parmar [1]
Teej01 Women celebrating Teej on a झूला swing
Teej (तीज) is celebrated by women in India, including the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, in Nepal and by the Indian diaspora.
Three famous and special Teej celebrations by women during Shravana and Bhadrapada months are- Haryali Teej (07.08.2024), Kajari Teej (22.08.2024), and Hartalika Teej (06.09.2024). The months of Shravana and Bhadrapada coincide with Varsha Ritu (वर्षा ऋतु) or monsoon, making the festivals special. Haryali Teej is also known as Chhoti Teej or Shravana Teej or Teeyan.
Kajari Teej is celebrated on the fifteenth day, and Hartalika Teej on the thirtieth day, after Haryali Teej.
The two other Teej/ Tritiya [2] named festivals - Akha Teej (Akshaya Tritiya) and Gangaur Tritiya are not part of the group of three Teej festivals celebrated in the months of Shravana and Bhadrapada.
Haryali Teej, dedicated to Parvati’s union with Shiva, is celebrated on Tritiya Tithi (third day) of Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) of Shravan month, corresponding to July/ August of the Gregorian calendar. Parvati fasted for many years and was accepted by Shiva as his wife in her 108th birth.
On Haryali Teej, married and unmarried women worship Goddess Parvati for conjugal bliss and happy married life. Women observe strict निर्जला व्रत (Nirjala Vrat), and do not drink water for the duration of the Vrat, in honour of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The fast is broken after worshipping चन्द्रमा (Chandrama, moon). Women also worship Teej Mata (Goddess Parvati) for prosperity and well-being of their husbands. The idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped and songs sung in their devotion.
During Haryali Teej married women, wear new clothes, sarees and bangles (preferably green, symbolic of greenery around because of monsoon). They prepare झूले (jhule, swings on trees) and swing in pairs, while singing Teej songs.
Teej02 Green is the colour of श्रृंगार (Shringara) on Teej
Sindhara (सिंधारा) is a gift hamper sent to the daughter and her in-laws by parents of the married girl. Sindhara contains homemade sweet;, घेवर, Ghewar; केसरिया भात, Kesariya Bhaat; सूजी हलवा, Suji Halwa; मालपुआ, Malpua; रबड़ी, Rabri; and खीर, Kheer.
Teej03 Ghewar (घेवर), a favourite sweet on Haryali Teej
Due to the custom of gifting Sindhara to the daughter and her in-laws, Haryali Teej is also known as Sindhara Teej. Married women, especially newlyweds, are gifted श्रृंगार (Shringara) items, including traditional dresses, चूड़ियाँ (bangles), मेहंदी (mehendi or henna), सिंदूर (sindoor), considered auspicious.
The monsoon timed festival celebrates the bounty of nature with social activity, rituals and customs. It includes dancing, singing, getting together with friends and telling stories, applying मेहंदी (Mehendi or henna) to hands, forearms, and feet, wearing bright colours, sharing festive food, and playing on झूला (Jhula or swings) hung on trees. Men traditionally fly kites during the day.
Teej04 Designs of मेहंदी (Mehendi) on Teej
Teej05 Designs of मेहंदी (Mehendi) on Teej
Teej06 Women playing Kikkli (किक्कली ਕਿੱਕਲੀ) on Teej
In Punjab, Teej is called Teeyan, and women play Kikkli (किक्कली ਕਿੱਕਲੀ). [3] The tradition of Vat Vriksha (banyan tree), considered auspicious, also forms an important part of Teej celebrations, when jhulas are hung on its branches. In Hindu mythology, Banyan tree is sacred and the hanging roots/ branches reflect knowledge. Worshipping Vat Vriksha on the occasion of Haryali Teej is considered auspicious.
Teej07 Women celebrating तीज Teej on a झूला swing
Teej Song
आयो आयो तीज त्योहार
रंगीलो सावन आयो रे सुरंगो सावन आयो रे x 2
बरखा बूंदा ल्यो रे हटीलो सावन आयो रे
आयो आयो तीज त्योहार रमसम आंगनिये x 2
बादल गरजे बिजलिया चिमके x 2
कया आउजी पिया अब मैं घर से x 2
रिमझिम पड़े हैं पुहार रमसम आंगनिये x 2
अंगवा की डाली पे बोले कोयलिया x 2
मीठी मीठी बोले जाने बाजे बासुरिया x 2
बागा में छाई बाहर रमसम आंगनिये x 2
आज सुरंगो दिन हैं म्हारा x 2
घर आयो म्हारो साजन प्यारो रो x 2
अजी हिवडे की उमंग बाहर रमसम आंगनिये x 2
[1] Author, Freelance, Indian Economic Service (Retired), former Senior Economic Adviser, Government of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and former Adviser (P 4) UNDP, Yemen has in posts
on his website (https://rohitkparmar.wixsite.com/site),
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can be reached at rohitkparmar@yahoo.com.
[2] A festival with Teej/ Tritiya suffix suggests that it falls on the third day of the lunar month (either waxing or waning phase).
[3] Kikkli is a folk dance/ game performed by two women holding each other’s opposite hands, moving in a circle and balancing their positions in circular motions. It is popular amongst young girls and performed in pairs. Songs and clapping accompany the dance.
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