Hariyali Teej

Hariyali Teej is celebrated on the third day of Shukla Paksha of Saavan month. Because it falls in the month of Sawan, it is also called Shravani Teej. On this day Lord Shankar accepted Mother(Mata) Parvati as his wife. This fast is a very important fast for married women and girls. By observing this fast, married women get unbroken good fortune and unmarried girls get a suitable life partner. This festival falling in the month of Sawan is considered a symbol of love, faith and good fortune for women.

Story of Hariyali Teej

Mother (Mata) Parvati was so engrossed in her penance to attain Lord Shiva that thousands of years had passed in her penance. She had forgotten even herself. Seeing the difficult penance of Mata Parvati, Lord Shiva was pleased with her penance and accepted her as his wife. To bring back the memory power of Mata Parvati, Lord Shiva had narrated a story to her. The day when Lord Shiva narrated the story to Mata Parvati was the Tritiya of Shukla Paksha of the month of Sawan. Therefore, Hariyali Teej is celebrated on this day. On this day, Lord Shiva accepted Mata Parvati as his wife.

The story which Lord Shiva narrated to Mata Parvati is

Lord Shiva says to Mata Parvati that you have done very hard penance to get me as your husband, you gave up food and did penance for thousands of years by eating leaves. Pleased by your penance, I have chosen you as my wife. From the very beginning, you wanted to have me as your husband, that is why you remained engrossed in my penance and in my meditation. Your father was very sad and worried after seeing your condition. One day Narad ji came to your father's house and said that Shri Vishnu ji wants to marry your daughter. Lord Vishnu has sent me to you. Please tell us your opinion. Hearing Narad ji, Himalayaraj became very happy and agreed to marry you with Vishnu ji. When you came to know about this you felt very sad. Seeing your helpless misery, your friends kidnapped you and hide you in the caves of the mountains. You started worshiping me by making the idol of Shivlinga made of the sand. On hearing the news of your abduction, your father Himalaya Raj started searching you but they couldn't find you. Pleased with your penance, I choose you. According to my Leela, Himalaya Raj reached the same cave where you were immersed in my penance. At that time you had chosen me as your husband. Your father urged you to go back home. You told your father that I will go back home only if you get me married to Shiv ji and not to Vishnu ji, otherwise I will sacrifice my life. As you said, your father got you married to me. I have told you this story which is very beneficial and gives continuous good fortune. Any woman will listen or read this story after fasting on Hariyali Teej. She will get unbroken good fortune and unmarried girls will get a suitable life partner.

Method of worship

On the third day of Shukla Paksha of Sawan month, women should wake up in the morning and finish all their daily activities and get clean. Then clean the place of worship and purify it by sprinkling Ganga water. Take a pledge to observe Nirjala fast (fast without food and water) while sitting at the place of worship. Install the idols of Mata Parvati and Lord Shiva by spreading red cloth on the stool. If you want, you can also make a clay idol and install it. First of all worship Lord Ganesha, then worship Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. Offer Kalash, Sandalwood, Akshat, Belpatra, Hemp, Thorn apple, Honey, Sugar, Milk, Ganga water, Panchamrit, Betel nut, Coconut, Camphor, Ghee, Oil, Gulal, Raw cotton, Sacred thread to Lord Shiva. Offer makeup items like bindi, kumkum, vermilion, bangles, henna, red color, nettle, perfume, comb etc. to Goddess Parvati in a plate. After offering these things, listen to the story of Hariyali Teej, perform aarti and break the fast the next day.

Importance of Hariyali Teej 

According to mythological beliefs, if there is a delay in the marriage of an unmarried girl, then that girl should especially observe this fast, by observing this fast there are chances of marriage soon. The same belief applies to married women also, if a woman's married life is going through struggles then that woman should observe this fast. This fast is completely dedicated to Mata Parvati and Lord Shiva. Mata Parvati and Lord Shiva remove all the difficulties of the fasting woman and thus the married life of the woman becomes happy. As a result of this fast, married women get the blessing of being fortunate. By observing this fast, married women and unmarried girls get the desired results.

Related topics

• Kajari Teej 
• Hartalika Teej