Teej Festival (Festival of Swings) 2024 in India

The bright and joyous festival of Teej is a time for married Hindu women to dress up in their best clothes. They celebrate and pray for the health and well being of their husbands. The monsoon festivals united under the name Teej, include Haryali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej, marked on different dates in July, August or September.

Haryali Teej (August 7, 2024)

Haryali Teej is marked on the third day of the bright half of the Shraavana Lunar month when the monsoon starts, and everything turns green. That's why it is also called Green Teej. It is widely celebrated in Rajasthan. Women usually apply henna ornaments to their hands and feet during Teej. They don't have to do any chores or work on this day. Girls receive presents and new clothes, especially new brides.

Harvest Celebration

In new clothes, young women and girls swing on decorated 'jhoolas.' Swings are hanged on the trees and are decorated with flowers and ribbons. The festival celebrates the abundance of vegetation and a successful harvest. On that day, women wear green colored clothes and green bangles. Green vegetables and coconuts are given for luck and prosperity.

Kajari Teej (August 22, 2024)

Kajari Teej is celebrated in Uttar Pradesh and other areas during the third dark half of Bhadrapada Lunar month. It is often called the Bigger Teej. The sky during this celebration usually turns dark before the monsoon rain season. Girls and women get together to sing songs, dance, and make prayer rituals. On that day women also go to their parents' home. Many women are following the Kajari Teej Fast and don't have any food or water. In Bundi, Rajasthan, locals come together in a procession, celebrating Teej Goddess. Hundreds of dancers, musicians, and bejeweled elephants and camels move through the streets of the city, greeted by the residents.

Hartalika Teej (September 6, 2024)

Hartalika Teej is honoring Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva, on the third day of the bright half of the Bhadrapada Lunar month. It is celebrated in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand. The morning starts with a puja prayer ritual. Women bring offerings to the idol or picture of Parvati, while evenings are full of singing and dancing. Same as during Kajari Teej, some women choose to fast for the life and health of their spouses.