Teej literally refers to the third day of a fortnight.
However, in the context of the Teej festival, it is a celebration observed by women during the rainy season in three different fortnights, based on their origin and customs.
In Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana, it is observed as Hariyali Teej on the third day of the Shravana month, which falls immediately after the New Moon. In 2026, it was celebrated on 15th August.
In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, it is observed as Kajari Teej on the third day after the Full Moon (15 days after the Hariyali Teej). This celebration is held today, 31st August, 2026.
The third festival, known as Hartalika Teej, is celebrated by women from all over Northern India, such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and even in Nepal. It will be celebrated on 14th September 2026.
The rituals include fasting by women, worship, and the offering of prayers, singing, and dancing.
While observing a fast, you should avoid eating any food items that contain Viswamitra shrushti ingredients.
Hariyali Teej
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Tithi Timings: Tritiya Tithi begins at 06:46 PM on Aug 14 and ends at 05:28 PM on Aug 15, 2026.
Hariyali Teej, also known as Chhoti Teej (Kajari Teej being the Badi Teej), celebrates nature and marks the beginning of the monsoon. It celebrates the reunion of Goddess Parvati with Parameshwar (Shiva).
This occasion is celebrated by women wearing green clothes, bangles, and jewelry. The prayers are offered to Goddess Parvati for marital harmony and the well-being of family members.
- Get up early in the morning, take a full bath from head to toe, then wear green clothes and green bangles.
- You can decorate your hands and feet with mehndi, which is deemed auspicious for women.
- Observe a complete fast after the bath till evening. Engage yourself in prayers and worship.
- Don't get involved in any arguments or tensions throughout the day.
- If your parents provided you with sindhara (a set of clothes and decorative ornaments), you should wear them during the worship.
- Participate in singing and dancing rituals that are a part of the auspicious celebration.
- You can break the fast after sighting the moon in the evening. Take the naivedyam and other vegetarian food prepared for this occasion.
Two Significant Customs observed during this Hariyali Teej:
1) The Sindhara Custom:
Parents gift their married daughters a Sindhara (a basket containing home-made sweets like Ghewar, henna, bangles, and green attire).
2) The Shravan Theme Custom:
Women dress entirely in green to resemble and portray the lush, rain-washed earth.
Swings are hung from trees, and women sing traditional folk songs as they swing with their children.
Kajari Teej:
Also called Badi Teej, Kajari is associated with black clouds and the complete onset of the monsoon season. It falls exactly on the 15th day after the Hariyaali Teej.
This festival is celebrated seeking emotional balance, peace, and longevity in life.
Date: Monday, August 31, 2026.
Tithi Timings: Tritiya Tithi begins at 09:36 AM on Aug 30 and ends at 08:50 AM on Aug 31, 2026.
Puja Muhurat:
Because the Tritiya tithi was still available in the morning hours on August 31st, the main rituals, fast, and evening prayers are done on the 31st. The fast can be broken after sighting the moon in the evening.
Significant features:
Women establish a Neem branch (Neemdi Mata) in a courtyard, decorating it with turmeric and sindhoor threads, and performing rituals around it.
A special sweet dough called Sattu is prepared for offering and is distributed as prasad.
Women gather around and sing "Kajari" songs that express a wife's longing for her husband amid the roaring monsoon clouds.
Hartalika Teej:
The third and final Teej festival of the year occurs in the Bhadrapad month. It is the most challenging of the three festivals because fasting is observed without drinking even water.
Women fast for their husbands' long lives and a blissful married life.
Date: Monday, September 14, 2026.
Tithi Timings: Tritiya Tithi up to 9:35 AM on September 14.
Puja Muhurat: 06:05 AM to 07:06 AM
Significant Facts:
The festival is a celebration of Goddess Parvati's abduction by her friends (saheliyan) into a forest to save her from an unwanted marriage so that she can perform her penance for Shiva.
It commemorates the fierce austerities undergone by Mother Parvati to marry Shiva.
Devotees make a clay Shivalinga for puja. They worship Shiva along with Parvati and Ganesha.
For the puja, women wear the sixteen bridal ornaments known as Solah-Shringar.
It is a complete waterless fast, staying awake all night and singing bhajan songs.
