Types of Teej

“Teej” refers to the “third” day that falls every month after the new moon (Amavasya), and the third day after the full moon night of every month. Teej festivals are traditionally observed by women to celebrate the monsoons, on the third day of the Indian month of Shravan, and on the third days of the waning and waxing moon of the Indian month of Bhadrapud. Women also pray to goddess Parvati seeking the wellness of their husband, children and their own self.

Three famous Teej(s) which are celebrated by women during Sawan and Bhadrapada months are –

• Hariyali Teej
• Kajari Teej
• Hartalika Teej

Other Teej festivals like Akha Teej which is also known as Akshaya Tritiya and Gangaur Tritiya are not part of above three Teej(s). Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej and Hartalika Teej are special Teej as these falls during Shravana and Bhadrapada months. Shravana month and Bhadrapada months currently coincide with Varsha Ritu or monsoon period and the timing of these three Teej makes them more special to women folks.

Haryali Teej

Hariyali Teej falls on Shukla Paksha Tritiya in Shravana month and usually falls two days before Nag Panchami. Hariyali Teej is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Hariyali Teej falls during Sawan month which is the holy month to observe various fasts devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

The festival of Hariyali Teej symbolizes reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. On this day married women pray and worship Goddess Parvati for conjugal bliss and happy married life. They observe fast to seek long life and wellness of their husband. While unmarried women observe fast to get a husband like Lord Shiva. Hariyali Teej is also called as Shravan Teej as it falls two days before Naag Panchami during the Hindu month Shravan. During this season, the surroundings become green and hence the name ‘Hariyali’. During Hariyali Teej married women visit their parents’ home, wear new clothes preferably green Sari and bangles, prepare swings and use it in pair while singing Teej songs.

Sindhara (सिंधारा) is a bucket of gift which is sent to the daughter and her in-laws by the parents of married girl. Sindhara contains homemade sweets, Ghewar (घेवर), Henna, bangles etc. Due to custom of gifting Sindhara to the daughter and her in-laws during this Teej, Hariyali Teej is also known as Sindhara Teej. Hariyali Teej is also known as Chhoti Teej and Shravana Teej. Kajari Teej which comes fifteen days after Hariyali Teej is known as Badi Teej.

Kajarai Teej

Kajarai teej is celebrated in the North Indian Lunar month of Bhadrapud: the third day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada. Kajari teej is also called boorhi teej. In Rajasthan, kajarai teej is referred to badi (bigger) teej which follows haryali teej, known as chhoti (smaller) teej.

Women in Uttar Pradesh pray to Lord Shiva on kajari teej. It is also customary to sing folk songs known as kajris. The focus of the lyrics is usually on separation expressing the pining of a woman for her beloved in her parents’ home, where she has been sent to celebrate teej, or waiting in anticipation to be collected by brothers to celebrate teej. The kajri is a folk song composed and sung in the regions of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Women who observe the kajari teej fast go without food and water. kajari teej is also known as kajali teej which also involves praying to the moon. The fast is broken by eating sattu. The other focus of the day is to pray to the neem tree (Azadirachta indica). A fair is held in Bundi in Rajasthan to celebrate Kajari teej.

Hartalika Teej

Hartalika is a combination of “harit” and “aalika” which means “abduction” and “female friend” respectively. According to the legend of Hartalika Teej, Goddess Parvati, incarnated as Goddess Shailaputri, was the daughter of himalaya who promised her hand in marriage to Lord Vishnu, at the suggestion of Narada. Upon hearing this, Goddess Parvati told her friend of her father’s decision whereupon the friend took Goddess Parvati to the thick forest so that her father would not marry her to Lord Vishnu against her wish.

On the third day of the bright half of Bhadrapud, Goddess Parvati made a Shiva lingam out of her hair and prayed. Lord Shiva was so impressed that he gave his word to marry Goddess Parvati. Eventually, Goddess Parvati was united with Lord Shiva and was married to him with her father’s blessing. Since then, the day is referred to as haritalika teej as Goddess Parvati’s female (aalika)friend had to abduct (harit) her in order for the Goddess to achieve her goal of marrying Lord Shiva.

Accordingly, Hartalika Teej is seen as a major festival and is celebrated on the third day of the bright half of the North Indian Lunar month of Bhadrapud. The festival women feasting during the evening of Hartalika Teej, praying to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, remembering their wedding and staying up all night listening to prayers. The fast (also called nishivasar nirjala vrat) commences during the evening of Hartalika Teej and is broken the next day after a full day’s observance which involves women not even drinking water. The focus is on praying to Goddess Parvati whom Shiva desired should be worshipped under the name Hartalika.

The main areas of celebration are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand. In Rajasthan, an idol of Goddess Parvati is taken out in procession in the streets accompanied by singing, and music. The Hartalika Teej festival has also spread to parts of Madhya Pradesh where it is celebrated as a minor festival. Hartalika Teej of the north is not to be confused with Hartalika Teej of Maharashtra which is connected to the festival of Gowri Habba.

Mythological significance

It is believed that on this day, Lord Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati as his wife after she fasted and was austere for many years. Legend says that she prayed and took 108 rebirths to be Lord Shiva’s wife. Goddess Parvati is also known as Teej Mata. The union took place on the third day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan.

Celebration

Women clad themselves in green clothes, wear green bangles and adorn their hands with henna. A special puja to worship the moon with milk, flowers and curd is performed. Religious songs and hymns are chanted. The celebration comprises of dancing and singing. In Rajasthan, processions of Teej Mata are taken on the streets and songs and dances are performed. Haryana marks the day as the official holiday and the Government of Haryana organises several functions to celebrate the festival. In Punjab, women gather and perform Gidda and visit their families. There is also a tradition for women to ride swings. In Chandigarh, students present plays and cultural programs and the Chandigarh administration makes special arrangements in the Rock Garden for Teej celebration.

The Hariyali Teej Vrat or Fast

Married women gather and worship Goddess Parvati for a happy married life. Some visit their parents’ home, and adorn themselves in new clothes and accessories like red or green saris, green bangles, etc. Huge swings are decorated for women who swing while singing traditional Teej songs, followed by Teej folklore, usually narrated by older ladies.

In certain traditions sindhara, a bucket of gift, is sent to the daughter and her in-laws by her parents. Sindhara contains home-made sweets, ghewar, henna, bangles etc. The custom of gifting sindhara to the daughter and her in-laws during this Teej also gives the festival the name of Sindhara Teej.

Married women keep a day long nirjala (no-food-no-water). Women consume their last meal a day prior to the festival, and fast through the day. Mothers, grandmothers, sisters and daughters sit together to have a lavish feast before the fast begins (at midnight) followed by Vrat Katha.

The fast is finally broken after offering prayers to the moon in the evening and worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Many unmarried women also keep the fast, take part in the festivities and pray for a blissful married life. During fasting, married women are presented with items of shringaar (make up) by her in-laws. This box of shringhaar includes kumkum (vermilion), henna (mehndi), bindi, bangles, and sari.

Through the day women restrict themselves even from a morsel of food and drop of water, making the fast one of the most difficult fasts. This is why pregnant women are advised not to keep the fast and even if they do observe the fast, it is advisable to consult a doctor, and check with them on their dietary requirements. Few pregnant ladies go on a diet of milk and fruits to fulfil their nutritional requirements for the day.

Comment

After the day-long fast is over, women drink water and eat healthy food to break the fast and commemorate the festival.

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