Author: - | Last Updated: Tue 14 Feb 2017 4:04:11 PM
The festival of Teej is celebrated to commemorate the reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Teej is observed 4 times in a year. The forms of Teej are Akha Teej, Hariyali Teej, Hartalika Teej and Kajari Teej. Read this article to know the main reason of celebrating each Teej…
Married women keep the fast of Teej to bring a marital happiness and bliss in their lives. Along with this, Teej is also an indicator of welcoming the season of rain and getting relief from the summer season. Married women keep a fast on this day to earn blessings of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.
Teej is known by different names like Baya, Tay and many more. All these names of Teej festival are famous in different regions of India.
Before moving ahead to celebrate the Teej festival, let us know the important dates for Teej, so that we can be well prepared for the celebrations of this day. Below mentioned are the dates for Teej in 2017:
| Teej 2017 | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Akha Teej 2017 (Akshay Tritiya 2017) | Friday | April 28 |
| Hariyali Teej 2017 | Wednesday | July 26 |
| Kajari Teej 2017 | Thursday | August 10 |
| Hartalika Teej 2017 | Thursday | August 24 |
Let’s now take a detailed view on Teej festival.
Akha Teej : Perfect Day To Initiate Things
The festival of Akha Teej is also called Akshaya Tritiya. It is considered as a very auspicious day for Hindus. Akha Teej or Akshaya Tritiya is observed on the third day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the Hindu month, Vaishakha. The meaning of the word ‘Akshaya’ means ‘that never diminishes’ and the word ‘Tritiya’ means ‘the third day’. If a person follows the rituals of Akha Teej, he/she is supposed to get the never ending benefits. It is believed to be auspicious, if a person donates on the day of Akha Teej.
It is said that Akha Teej brings good luck in a person’s life. Buying gold on the day of Akshaya Tritiya is also considered quite auspicious. It indicates good luck, prosperity, and wealth all through your life. Akha Teej is also considered to be the day that helps in getting rid of all the malefic effects in one’s life. Since, the day of Akha Teej or Akshaya Tritiya is associated with prosperity, it is of special significance for the business community. It is considered to be auspicious to start a new venture on Akha Teej.
It is believed that if the day of Akha Teej or Akshaya Tritiya falls on a Monday, then Teej Vrat observed on the day produce magnificent results for the devotees. Akha Teej is also popular as Nabanna Parvam meaning new-grain festival.
Hence, be ready to bring good luck on this Teej. Let’s take a look at another Teej festival to be celebrated.
Hartalika Teej : A Special Day For Indian Women
Hartalika Teej is also amongst the four important Teej festivals that are celebrated in India or abroad. Women and young girls observe Hartalika Teej Vrat on the day of Hartalika Teej. It is said that Hartalika Teej Vrat (fast on Teej) is a Nirjala Vrat i.e. the fast in which one cannot even consume water. Along with this, the person who observes Hartalika Teej fast, has to keep awake for whole night. As per the Hindu calendar, Hartalika Teej is celebrated on the third day of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.
Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva are worshiped on Hartalika Teej. It is believed that those who observe the fast of Hartalika Teej, Lord Shiva fulfills all the desires of those devotees. The states, where Hartalika Teej is celebrated on a large scale are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Hariyali Teej : The Traditional Green Day
As per the Hindu calendar, the festival of Hariyali Teej is celebrated on the third day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan. Hariyali Teej is also known as Singhara Teej, in some parts of the country.
On the occasion of Hariyali Teej, the ones who are newly married are supposed to visit their homes. Newlywed women get the items of Shringara (the things that newlyweds use adorn themselves like Kohl, Henna, Vermillion, Bangles, etc.) from the in-laws. These items may include new jewelery, clothes, Mehendi and other beauty products. The festival holds an immense importance for all the married women.
On Hariyali Teej, married women could be seen dressed up in their best attire, along with unique Mehndi designs drawn on their hands. At the time of Hariyali Teej, the women worship Goddess Parvati. Also, the folk songs are sung to please Shiva-Parvati to earn their blessings to have a happy and blissful married life.
The places that celebrate Hariyali Teej on a large scale are Rajasthan and the northern part of India. Many fairs are also organized on the occasion of Hariyali Teej at these places. Many women put swings at the time of Hariyali teej.
Kajari Teej : Worship Goddess Uma For Marital Bliss
Kajari Teej is also known as Kajli Teej. As per the Hindu calendar, Kajari Teej is celebrated on third day of Krishna Paksha (dark half) in the Hindu month, Bhadrapada. It is said that the celebration of Kajli Teej lasts for two days and sometimes, it is continued uptil Janmashtami.
One of the forms of Goddess Parvati, Goddess Uma is worshiped on the day of Kajari Teej. On the occasion of Kajari Teej, women dress up themselves in traditional ways, including traditional bangles and Mehendi designs.
On the day of Kajari Teej, young girls and women keep fast to please Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. All the females pray for their husband's long life. Many fairs are also organized at different places of the country to celebrate the festival of Kajari Teej.
Every festival in India has some legend associated with it. Hence, Teej also have a significant legend associated with it. However, the Teej of Shravan month is among the most celebrated Teej festivals. Let’s have a look at the legend of Teej.
As per the legend, Goddess Parvati wanted to marry Lord Shiva. Hence, she kept the fasts during the period of the Hindu month, Shravan. Due to these fasts only, she was able to get Lord Shiva as her husband.
As per one of the beliefs, Parvati kept these fasts with full devotion and dedication, for a period of 108 years. As a result, she could get what she wanted; at last, she could marry Lord Shiva. Hence, it is said that if a woman wishes to have a happy married life, she should keep the fast on Teej.
The festival of Teej symbolizes that if a woman has a true belief and dedication for getting her husband’s love, she definitely attains it. The festival of Teej shows the victory of a woman’s will of getting the husband of her choice.
Along with this, Teej is an important festival that marks the festivity of monsoon season. It is the time when people get relieved from extreme hot summers and get the rain showers. Hence, the Teej festival indicates strong bonding between married couples.
As the part of rituals of the Teej festival, parents or in-laws give the items of Shringaar, which include vermilion, Henna, Bindi (decorative mark on forehead), bangles, Saree (traditional attire), and sweets. The gifts that are being given by the family are then worn by the females. It is also said that the idol of the Goddess of Teej (one of the forms of Goddess Parvati) is also worshiped by the people. Certain folk dances and songs are also the part of the rituals of Teej festival. However, there are three important rituals of the festival of Teej that complete the festivity of the day. Get to know the Teej rituals and follow them on this Teej to make your day a perfect one.
Preparations For Teej
As we all know the Teej festival increases happiness and closeness in married life and strengthens the bond between the married couples. Hence, the preparations for the festival of Teej begins so many days prior to the festival. Women starts to shop for all the things that would make them look beautiful and different from other ones. You can also follow the below mentioned rituals on this Teej and get the blessings from the deities.
Fast For Teej
The festival of Teej is well known among the Hindu festivals due to the fast that is called the Nirjala fast. As this fast lasts long for a day; hence, one should eat a day prior to the Teej festival and Teej Vrat. It is more famous in the regions of Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
Puja For Teej
As the part of Puja rituals of Teej festival, women collect at a temple to perform the Puja for the day. Women beautifully dress up themselves and apply Mehendi that is the symbol of a happy married life. A story related to Goddess Parvati is recited, which is famously called the Teej Katha, then Moon is seen along with offering the prayers.
The festival of Teej is celebrated pan India, on a large scale. The festival is especially meant for females. Hence, all the females turn to be the lime light of the day. The way, women dress up themselves is the highlighting factor of the festival of Teej. Let’s have a look, how women all around the country would again be celebrating the Teej 2017 festival.
Teej : Celebrations In Nepal
The Teej festival in Nepal is also known as Nepali Teej. It is the most famous Teej celebration in the world. On the day of Teej, married women gather at some place. All the women are dressed up in the best of their looks. Then, the programme of dancing and singing goes on, which even continues till midnight. All over the night, the women sing Nepali Teej songs to increase the festivity of the day. All the Nepali Teej Geet sung by the females indicate their love for their husbands and for the Teej festival.
Teej : Celebrations In Rajasthan
Teej festival indicates makeup, Henna and swings, for women. It is celebrated mainly on a large scale at the time of monsoon. Women hang the swings from trees and enjoy swinging by singing the Teej Geet (songs). The festivity of Teej festival ends up for two day celebration in Jaipur & Rajasthan. The idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are named as Gangaur and Teej, respectively. Teej Katha is narrated and prayers are offered to the deities. After this, the sweet dish called Ghewar is offered as Prasadam (sacred food).
Teej : Celebrations In Haryana
The festival of Hariyali Teej is famous in the regions of Haryana. On the occasion of Hariyali Teej, all the girls get new clothes from their family. During evening, all the females offer prayers after listening to the Teej Katha and then the festivity increases by singing Teej songs & dancing also. This day is specially meant for those who wish to enjoy a blissful and happy conjugal life. Hopefully, this article on Teej will help you in the best possible way. Follow all the rituals of Teej and enjoy a good, loving and blessed married life. Celebrate the Teej with lots of love and affection from your family and husband.
AstroCAMP family wishes you a very Happy Teej..!