The month of August, a monsoon season where a monsoon festival is held which is also known as Haritalika Teej/ Hariyali Teej. Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated by women, girls welcoming the monsoon season. It is observed particularly in the western and northern states of India and Nepal. It refers to the third day that falls every month after the new moon, and the third day after the full moon night of every lunar month. This festival celebrates the favour of nature, arrival of clouds and rain, greenery and birds with social activity, rituals and customs. Teej, the festival, includes dancing, singing, getting alongside friends, relatives and telling stories, dressing up with Mehendi, wearing red, green or orange clothes, sharing festive foods, and playing under trees on swings. It is primarily dedicated to Parvati and her union with Shiva.
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Why is Teej celebrated/ Mythology?
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati ran away from her home with her friends to the jungle because her father Himalaya promised to Lord Vishnu to give his daughter Parvati in marriage. She then went to the jungle and started praying to Lord Shiva until he fulfilled her wish to marry him. Later, he stated “tathastu” that means he will fulfil her wish.That was the day when Parvati got her husband as her undying wish. From that day onwards the day when Goddess Parvati got married to Lord Shiva is known as Teej. So this day is celebrated and women fast the whole day to get the husband of their dreams by unmarried women and for a long, healthy and prosperous life for married women.
Teej in Nepal
There are specific rituals of the Teej pageant carried out in Nepal. Attired mainly in Traditional crimson sarees girls congregate in a temple to worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. On this day, in some places, an idol of Goddess Parvati is decorated with wealthy silk fabric and heavy jewellery. This day is viewed as a very important day due to the fact married girls and engaged females remain too fast praying for the lengthy and wholesome existence of their husband and to-be-husband. So, each married and unmarried Hindu ladies study the three-day-long pageant looking for blissful married life and happiness for their husband and to-be husband.
Celebrating Teej
Teej Puja is celebrated in distinctive steps such as training for Teej celebration, dar khane, things to do on the important fasting day, and worshipping the goddesses with puja. These steps are special in the following paragraphs. Teej begins about seven days earlier than the fundamental day. Firstly, brothers or fathers of the married sisters or daughters go to invite them to their maternal home to rejoice the festival.
Secondly, ladies begin buying for Teej properly in advance. This is the very event for union with Maiti and Cheli which abounds with joy, happiness, and merrymaking. They purchase extraordinary matters for worshipping and fruits and different meals objects for the Teej feast. They no longer leave out shopping for new garments and jewelry due to the fact Hartalika Teej is the time to adorn oneself with new garments and jewellery.
Thirdly, moms ship well-known presents to the houses of their married daughters. The well-known presents consist of dar food, scarlet sarees, crimson glass bangles and different treasured matters to her daughter and daughter’s spouse’s mother separately. Girls engaged to be married acquire a present from their future in-laws on the day earlier than the festival. The items consist of henna, bangles, an exceptional dress, and sweets.
Fourthly, they invite their household members, pals and they figure out to celebrate the Teej, specifically the dar khane programme, together.
Happy Sawan Teej!!