Hariyali Teej — "hariyali" meaning greenery — is a monsoon festival observed by married women across North India, particularly in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh. Falling on the third day of Shukla Paksha in the Shravan month (typically August), the festival celebrates the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the lush green of the monsoon season, and the wellbeing of husbands and marriages. The mood is joyous — swings, songs, mehndi, and green attire define the day.
The Legend of Shiva and Parvati
According to Hindu tradition, Parvati observed 107 births of austerities and devotion to be reunited with Shiva after their separation. On the Shravan Shukla Tritiya, her perseverance bore fruit — Shiva accepted her as his eternal consort. Hariyali Teej celebrates this reunion, and the fast observed by married women mirrors Parvati's devotion — a prayer for the strength, long life, and wellbeing of their husbands and the flourishing of their marriages.
Fasting Rules
When to begin
The Teej vrat begins at sunrise on the day of Hariyali Teej
Nirjala option
Some women observe a Nirjala fast (no food or water) — considered most rigorous and meritorious
Phalhar option
A fruit and milk fast — the more widely observed version, especially for working women
When to break
The fast is traditionally broken after performing the evening puja of Goddess Parvati and praying for the husband's wellbeing
The Sargi
Many in-laws send a Sargi — a pre-dawn meal of fruits, sweets, and dry fruits — to their daughter-in-law the night before or early morning of Teej, similar to Karva Chauth tradition
Hariyali Teej Puja Vidhi
Take a bath early morning and dress in green — the colour of Shravan's lush monsoon greenery
Apply mehndi (henna) — a key Teej tradition; the deeper the colour, the more the husband's love, according to popular belief
Set up the puja thali with an idol or image of Shiva-Parvati, flowers (especially white and marigold), roli, kumkum, and diya
Offer 16 items of solah shringar (16 adornments) symbolically to Parvati — including sindoor, bangles, bindi, kajal, and mehndi
Perform aarti and read or listen to the Teej vrat katha (the story of Parvati's devotion)
Sit on a swing (jhula) and sing traditional Teej songs — the swing is a central symbol of the festival's joyous spirit
Break the fast with puja prasad — ghewar (a traditional Rajasthani sweet) is the signature Teej sweet, along with kheer and fruits
Ghewar — The Teej Sweet
What is Ghewar?
Ghewar is a traditional Rajasthani disc-shaped sweet made from flour, ghee, and sugar syrup, with a honeycomb-like texture. Deep-fried in ghee and soaked in sugar syrup, it is topped with rabri (thickened sweetened milk), saffron, and pistachios. Ghewar is deeply associated with the Shravan season and Teej in particular — Rajasthani families send Ghewar as a festival gift, and in many households, making Ghewar together is itself a tradition.
The Swing (Jhula) Tradition
The swing is the defining visual symbol of Hariyali Teej — mango trees and home courtyards are decorated with swings tied with flower garlands, and women sing traditional Teej songs (Teej geet) while swinging. The songs celebrate the monsoon rains, the longing of married women for their parents' homes, and prayers for their husbands' wellbeing. In Rajasthan, elaborately decorated swings in palaces and heritage homes remain a beloved Teej attraction.
Three Teejs — What's the Difference?
- Hariyali Teej (Shravan Shukla Tritiya, July-August) — the green monsoon Teej, most widely celebrated in North India
- Kajari Teej (Bhadra Krishna Tritiya, August-September) — another monsoon Teej, especially significant in Madhya Pradesh and UP, celebrated with Kajari folk songs
- Hartalika Teej (Bhadra Shukla Tritiya, August-September) — a sand/clay Shiva-Parvati idol is made for puja; this version is celebrated in Maharashtra and also widely in North India
💡 Family tradition tip
If your family has specific Teej songs passed down through women of the household, record them — these folk songs are among the most endangered elements of North Indian women's oral tradition. Even a voice recording on a phone, saved on OurParampara, is preservation work.
Also fasting for your husband's wellbeing? See our Karva Chauth guide.