Teej or Tritiya Tithi comes many times a year but in all of them, 3 Teej tithis are considered very important. Teej festivals are celebrated with enthusiasm in Northern India, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Mainly it falls in the months of Sawan and Bhado. This Teej Tyohars is considered especially auspicious for married women. Keeping the fast of Teej maintains the good fortune of the married woman and brings happiness and prosperity to the family.
Importance of Teej
On the day of Tij, married women keep fast for the long life of their husbands. Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati are worshiped in the Teej festival. Women keep fast for the good life of their husbands, and unmarried girls keep Teej fast to get a good groom. The date of Tij is dedicated to Maa Parvati. In every story of Maa Parvati, it is described that she regained Lord Shiva on Tritiya or Tij Tithi itself. The pairs of Shankar-Parvati, Uma-Maheshwar, and Sati-Shiva are considered to be the most ideal pairs.
Mother Parvati performed severe penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband at every birth. To honor Lord Shiva, she also sacrificed herself in the Havan Kund, and in every birth, she took incarnation and chose only Lord Shiva. Every Indian or woman should have a share of his good fortune, chastity, purity, and penance. They should keep a husband’s vow. The fasts of Tij are glorified with this auspicious purpose of maintaining the purity of their conduct. This not only maintains the good fortune of husband and wife but also creates an atmosphere of mutual affection and peace.
Main Teej
Hariyali Teej
Hariyali Tij is celebrated on the Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Saavan month. During this Tij, the whole earth turns green and the monsoon rains make the weather very pleasant. This Tij has a special significance for newly married women. During this time she goes to her maternal home and her family members give her full makeup. Swinging on the swing has a special significance on this Tij. This Tij is celebrated on a large scale in many places.
Kajali Teej
Kajali Tij is celebrated on the third day of the Krishna Paksha of Bhado. Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva are worshiped on this day. On this day married women observe a fast for the long life of their husbands and worship with sixteen decorations.
Hartalika Teej
This Tij is considered to be the most important and beneficial Tij among all the Teejs. This Tij is celebrated on the Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. Hartali Tij is also known as Badi Teej Vrat. This fast is observed with great devotion in the regions of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Bihar. On this day married women observe waterless fast for the long life of their husbands. This fast continues from one sunrise to the next sunrise. Women wake up in the night and sing songs of Goddess Parvati. The customs of many regions may differ from this.
