Chandigarh, Aug 2: Teej, one of the most vibrant and emotionally resonant festivals in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in North India and Nepal, is more than just a seasonal or cultural observance — it is a deeply symbolic celebration of womanhood, marital devotion, and the rhythms of nature. Rooted in centuries-old traditions and mythologies, Teej reflects the emotional, spiritual, and social dimensions of a woman’s life, offering a space where joy, longing, prayer, and strength meet in harmony.
The word Teej refers to the third day after the new moon (Amavasya) and is celebrated on the third day of the lunar fortnight of the monsoon month of Shravana (July–August). The festival coincides with the arrival of the rains and is closely associated with fertility, renewal, and the deep emotional connection between lovers, symbolised in the mythological love story of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. According to Hindu belief, Teej marks the day Parvati was finally reunited with Shiva after years of penance and longing. It is this union that forms the spiritual core of the festival — a celebration of marital fidelity, feminine perseverance, and divine love.
Teej comes in different forms — Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej — each with its regional nuances, but all centred on women’s observances and rituals. Among these, Hariyali Teej is the most widely celebrated, particularly in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. In Punjab, it is often called Teeyan and is less religious and more social in nature — marked by swings, dances, folk songs, and community gatherings.
At the heart of Teej is a blend of rituals and celebrations that balance spirituality with festivity. Married women observe fasts — some without food or even water — to pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands. Unmarried girls, too, may fast, hoping for a loving life partner. The fast is considered an act of deep devotion, echoing Parvati’s own long penance to win the heart of Shiva.
One of the most iconic images associated with Teej is that of women dressed in vibrant green, wearing bangles, applying mehndi (henna), and adorning themselves with traditional jewellery. Green, the dominant colour of Teej, symbolises fertility, hope, and prosperity. The ritual of applying mehndi is not merely decorative but also symbolic — it’s believed that the deeper the colour of the mehndi, the stronger the bond between husband and wife.
Swings tied to trees are a central part of the celebration. As the monsoon winds blow and the earth smells of rain, women and girls gather to swing while singing traditional folk songs — many of which recount tales of separation, longing, or the simple joys of the season. This tradition isn’t just a joyous expression but a form of emotional release and storytelling, passed down through generations.
The folk songs and dances that accompany Teej, particularly in Punjabi culture, are rich in emotion and cultural memory. Giddha — the traditional folk dance performed by women — becomes a medium for storytelling, humour, and community bonding. Accompanied by boliyan (rhyming couplets), the performances create a space for women to express themselves, share their joys and grievances, and reaffirm their collective strength.
In regions like Rajasthan, the festivities take on a more elaborate form, with processions of beautifully decorated idols of Goddess Parvati being carried through the streets. Devotees throng temples to offer prayers, and traditional sweets such as ghevar, malpua, and kheer are prepared and shared. In Nepal, Hartalika Teej holds immense religious importance, where thousands of women in red sarees gather in temples, sing devotional songs, and dance through the night in spiritual fervour.
Teej is also a festival that cuts across urban and rural lines. In villages, the celebration retains its simplicity — swings tied to banyan trees, songs sung under open skies, and rituals performed in the courtyard. In cities, community halls, schools, and temples become the venues for collective celebration, where tradition is revived through performances, contests, and cultural showcases.
But at its core, Teej remains a woman’s festival — not in exclusion, but in emphasis. It honours not only the emotional strength and loyalty of a woman but also her ability to carry tradition, nurture relationships, and infuse life with joy and colour. Whether through fasting, dancing, singing, or simply swinging with her companions under the monsoon sky, a woman during Teej celebrates herself — as lover, wife, daughter, friend, and bearer of cultural memory.
In a world increasingly distanced from the rhythms of nature and inner reflection, Teej offers a rare moment of pause. It invites women to reconnect — with themselves, with each other, with their cultural past, and with the divine. It is a festival of longing, but also of joy; of austerity, but also of celebration. Above all, Teej remains a living expression of the grace, strength, and endurance of womanhood — swaying gently, yet unyieldingly, with the winds of tradition.
