Teej

Throughout the Hindu Annual calendar,Teej is celebrated three times as Hariyali  Teej, Kajari Teej,  and Hartalika Teej, in India. Each Teej vrat and worship is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Goddess Parvati did austere penance for thousands of years to get Shiva as her husband.



Parvati's ultimate marriage to Shiva became the supreme and superior most example of an ideal married life. Women, both unmarried and married worship Mata Parvati for finding a superior husband and for having a joyful and fulfilling married life.

Hartalika Teej marks the immense 'tapasya' or penance observed by Parvati. Women and young girls maintain nirjala vrata on these three days, and keep awake all three nights as symbolic of the penance which Parvati did to obtain her husband . The fast is ended on Rishi Panchmi day with great feasting, celebrations, pomp and joy. Women wear green clothes during this fast, apply henna,  sing songs, dance and pray.

Women visit the Shiva temple and offer 'Suhaag Samagri' or tokens of married life like sindoor, bangles, beauty products to Goddess Parvati. They take sweets, puri, halwa as bhog offerings. Women offer sindoor to Ma Parvati and take sindoor from her as blessings for a long happy married life. Unmarried girls pray for a suitable, high achieving husband and a prosperous married life.