Teej is not simply a festival, but a spiritual odyssey of love, sacrifice, and unshakeable devotion celebrated by women. It falls in the monsoon months and is marked as a celebration of fertility, wedded bliss, and spiritual fulfillment. Women adorn themselves in bright traditional finery, wear mehendi, sing folk songs, and partake in religious ceremonies to worship Goddess Parvati, who is seen as the perfect wife. The festival unites people and reaffirms the holy ties of love and devotion.

History and Mythology of Teej

The origins of Teej are embedded in the ancient tale of Goddess Parvati’s immense devotion and penance to win the love of Lord Shiva. Despite being born into royalty as Shailputri, Parvati chose a life of austerity and undertook years of penance in forests to attain Shiva’s love. Legend has it that she experienced 108 births and lived a life of meditation and prayer until Shiva embraced her. "Hartalika" is derived from the term "Harat" (abduction) and "Aalika" (female friend), symbolizing the support Parvati got from her friend to escape an unwanted wedding. This sacred union of love represents eternal love, thus Teej is a celebration of spiritual longing and marital dedication.

Types of Teej Festivals

Teej is observed in three major forms, each having regional importance and distinct rituals:

This year it is coming on the following dates: Hariyali Teej – Sunday, 27 July 2025, Kajari Teej – Tuesday, 12 August 2025, Hartalika Teej – Tuesday, 26 September 2025

Hariyali Teej – Falling on 27 July 2025 (Sunday), it is observed in Punjab, Chandigarh, and Haryana. It is the day of the greenery of monsoon and is a festival of happiness, swing celebrations, and singing. Ladies pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands.

Kajari Teej – Celebrated on 12 August 2025 (Tuesday). It is well known in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan. It is linked with folk songs (Kajris) and women pray for family happiness and good harvests.

Hartalika Teej – Celebrated on 26 September 2025 (Tuesday), mainly in Rajasthan, UP, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Nepal. It commemorates Goddess Parvati’s penance and devotion to Shiva. The rituals include fasting without water (nirjala vrat) and worship of clay idols of Shiva and Parvati.

Importance of Teej

Teej represents a blend of spiritual, cultural, and ecological values. It is a celebration of womanhood, love, and inner strength, in which women can declare their love and ambitions through rituals and fasting. Keeping nirjala vrat is said to be a source of blessings, peace, and conjugal happiness. Teej also celebrates nature, as it occurs in the time of monsoon and is celebrated in the midst of greenery, representing fertility and growth. It is a day of communal bonding for many, with collective songs, dances, and worship.

This Year's Significance and Festivities

Teej acquires additional meaning in 2025 as communities make preparations for comprehensive celebrations with a focus on women's friendship, nurturing, and solidarity. The theme that is recurring, particularly in Hartalika Teej, is that of women supporting each other through emotional and mystical experiences. This remains the source of motivation for contemporary observances.

Swings from trees, mehendi rituals, communal narration, and traditional ballads will bring to the fore the celebration in urban and rural communities alike. From Nepal's temples to Madhya Pradesh's village centers, Teej 2025 will be a colorful manifestation of cultural continuity and divine love.

Teej is a festival where mythology, tradition, and womanhood converge to celebrate the sacred bond of marriage and the strength of devotion. With colorful rituals, heartfelt prayers, and community participation, it brings to life the story of Parvati’s love and endurance. In 2025, as women across India and Nepal observe Teej, they not only honor a divine love story but also reaffirm their connection to faith, tradition, and one another.