तीज festivals hold a significant place in Indian culture, particularly for women. These celebrations are not just religious observances but also symbolize love, devotion, and the pursuit of family prosperity and well-being. Fasting during these festivals is primarily undertaken to pray for a long and happy married life, a virtuous spouse, or a successful marriage. Unmarried girls observe these fasts to seek a good match, while married women fast for the well-being of their husbands.
Three major festivals are celebrated annually – Hariali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Haritalika Teej. Let’s explore the dates, significance, and rituals associated with these fasts in 2025, as detailed in this article.
1. Hariali Teej 2025
Hariali Teej is celebrated on the third day of the Shukla Paksha of Sawan month. This festival is the first to arrive with the greenery of Sawan, making it directly linked to the lush vegetation of the season.
- Date and Day: July 27, 2025 (Sunday)
- Religious Belief: On Hariali Teej, special prayers are offered to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. It is believed that this is the day when Goddess Parvati was accepted as Lord Shiva’s wife. Therefore, newly married women traditionally visit their parental homes to celebrate this fast.
Puja Method (Rituals)
- In the morning, take a bath and wear a clean saree, and adorn yourself with jewelry.
- Establish the idols of Shiva and Parvati and perform a ritualistic worship.
- Women exchange jewelry among themselves, known as “Sinjara.”
- Swinging on a jhula (swing), applying henna, and singing Sawan songs are part of the tradition.
2. Kajari Teej 2025
Kajari Teej is celebrated on the third day of the Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month. This festival is particularly celebrated with great enthusiasm in villages, towns, and rural areas, filled with local traditions and customs.
- Date and Day: August 12, 2025 (Tuesday)
- Religious Belief: Kajari Teej is also known as Satudi Teej or Kanjali Teej. It is considered a major festival and is primarily observed for the long life of one’s husband and the prosperity of the family. Prayers are offered to Neemdi Mata, Lord Ganesha, and गौरी-Shankar (Ganesh and Shiva).
Puja Method (Rituals)
- Women observe the fast from sunrise to sunset.
- Worship a neem twig.
- The fast is broken by offering water to the moon.
- Traditional songs, especially “Kanjali Geet” (Kajari Songs), which are a distinctive feature of this festival, are sung in homes.
3. Haritalika Teej 2025
Haritalika Teej is celebrated on the third day of the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. This is considered one of the most challenging fasts, as it involves a complete water fast – abstaining from both food and water.
- Date and Day: August 26, 2025 (Tuesday)
- Religious Belief: The fast of Haritalika Teej was observed by Goddess Parvati to attain Lord Shiva as her husband. Through years of intense penance, Goddess Parvati was finally accepted by Lord Shiva as his wife. Therefore, this fast is considered particularly auspicious for unmarried girls and bestows blessings of prosperity on married women.
Puja Method (Rituals)
- It is customary to stay awake throughout the night.
- Women create idols of Shiva and Parvati from clay and worship them.
- Worship is performed while remaining without water.
- On the next morning, after bathing, the fast is broken by consuming prasad (sacred food).
Teej festival is a symbol of women’s faith, love, devotion, and strength. This fast not only strengthens marital life but also celebrates traditions and the preservation of cultural heritage. The greenery of Sawan, the fragrance of henna, the sound of swings, and the festive songs of Teej combine to create a truly unique and memorable celebration.
