The festival of Hariyali Teej holds special significance for women. Adorning oneself with the sixteen adornments (Solah Shringar) is considered a part of tradition on this day. Married women specially worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in a decorated form to maintain the integrity of their marriage. It is essential to use all the elements of adornment like vermillion, bindi, bangles, toe rings, and alta. It is said that the Teej fast remains incomplete without doing the sixteen adornments.
Decorate Your Adornments with Green
Green color has great importance in Hariyali Teej. This color is considered a symbol of nature, prosperity, and good fortune. On this day, women wear green sarees, bangles, anklets, maang tikkas, etc. Green attire makes the Teej festival even more attractive. Wearing green clothes increases mental happiness and maintains positive energy throughout the day's worship.
Giving Donations Makes the Day Even More Auspicious
Donating on the day of Hariyali Teej is considered very virtuous. On this day, women can donate clothes, food, makeup items, fruits, or sweets according to their ability. Especially, donating items related to married life to married women is considered to bring special benefits. While donating, there should be genuine faith in the mind rather than any pretense, only then does one get its reward.
Strength is Gained from a Waterless Fast
The fast of Hariyali Teej is waterless, meaning that even water is not consumed on this day. Women who keep the fast drink water only after seeing the moon at night and after worship. This fast is certainly difficult, but it is said that by observing it with complete devotion, one receives the blessings of Goddess Parvati and the husband has a long life. Only women who are in good health should keep this fast completely waterless.
Swinging is Part of the Teej Tradition
Swinging on Hariyali Teej is an old tradition. This tradition is still seen alive in the villages, where women tie swings on the branches of trees and sing folk songs and swing. If swinging is not possible, then women can make this day joyful by singing bhajans, kirtans, and folk dances at home. It is considered a symbol of the happiness of Shiva and Parvati.
Abhishek of Shivling with Panchamrit
It is considered extremely auspicious to perform Abhishek of Shivling with Panchamrit on the day of Hariyali Teej. Milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and Gangajal are used in Panchamrit. On this day, married women along with their husbands offer Panchamrit to Shivling. This act is associated with marital happiness and family prosperity. Chanting the mantra Om Namah Shivaya during worship is beneficial.
Preparations for Hariyali Teej Start from the Morning
The preparations for this festival start a day in advance. Women apply henna, prepare makeup items, and arrange for fruits, flowers, and offerings for the puja. On the day of Teej, they wake up early in the morning, take a bath, wear new clothes, and fast throughout the day.
Songs and Dances are Included in the Hariyali Teej Puja Ritual
Hariyali Teej is not just a day of fasting or worship, it is also a festival. On this day, women gather in groups, sing folk songs, dance, and share traditional dishes with each other. The songs tell the story of the marriage of Goddess Parvati and Shiva. This day is also a symbol of women's mutual harmony, love, and togetherness.
Visiting the Temple Also Has Special Significance
If possible, one should visit the temple of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on this day. It is considered especially virtuous to go there, worship, and participate in the aarti. Prayers offered in the temple bring peace and strength to the mind.
Sweets and Special Dishes are All the Rage
On the day of Hariyali Teej, special sweets like Ghevar, Gujia, Kheer, etc., have special importance. Women make all these dishes at home and distribute them to everyone after the puja. In many places, community feasts are also organized, where women celebrate the joy of the festival together.
