Teej 2026: All Dates, Hariyali & Hartalika Teej Guide

Complete guide to all Teej 2026 dates: Hariyali Teej (July 27), Kajari Teej (August 9), and Hartalika Teej (August 26). The three sacred fasting festivals celebrating Parvati-Shiva's divine love.

The Story Behind Teej

Teej celebrates Goddess Parvati's unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva. According to the Purana, Parvati undertook severe penance (tapasya) for years to win Shiva as her husband. Her friend (hartala) took her to the forest to prevent her forced marriage to Lord Vishnu. There, Parvati made an idol of Shiva from sand and worshipped it, and Shiva himself appeared and accepted her as his consort. This story of divine love is retold through the Teej Vrat Katha.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Teej 2026 dates?

There are three main Teej festivals in 2026: Hariyali Teej 2026 falls on July 27, 2026 (Shravan Shukla Tritiya), Kajari Teej 2026 falls on August 9, 2026 (Shravan Krishna Tritiya), and Hartalika Teej 2026 falls on August 26, 2026 (Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya). All three are significant fasting festivals for married women praying for their husbands' long life.

What is the significance of Hariyali Teej?

Hariyali Teej (Green Teej) marks the beginning of the monsoon season (Saavan). Women fast for their husbands' long life, swing on decorated swings (jhula), apply mehndi, and celebrate with songs and dances. It commemorates the reunion of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. 'Hariyali' means greenery, reflecting the lush monsoon landscape.

What is Hartalika Teej and how is it different from Hariyali Teej?

Hartalika Teej (August 26, 2026) is observed in Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya and is slightly different from Hariyali Teej (Shravan Shukla Tritiya). Hartalika means 'abducted by a friend,' referring to Parvati's friend who took her away from her father to allow her to perform Shiva worship. Hartalika Teej is a stricter fast (nirjala in some traditions) and is more prominently observed in Rajasthan, UP, and Bihar.

What is the Teej fast rule?

For all Teej fasts, women observe a day-long fast from sunrise to moonrise (when the Moon is visible). Many married women observe a nirjala (waterless) fast. The fast is broken after performing Parvati-Shiva puja and seeing the Moon. Permitted during fasting depends on regional tradition: some allow fruits and milk, others are strictly nirjala.

What are the Teej puja rituals?

Teej puja involves: Making an idol of Goddess Parvati with clay or using an image, Shiva-Parvati puja with flowers, bilva leaves, and fruits, listening to the Haritalika Teej Vrat Katha, swinging on a jhula (decorated swing), singing Teej songs (Teej ke geet), applying mehndi, and wearing green/red saree or new clothes. Idol immersion (visarjan) follows.

Is Teej only for married women?

Teej is primarily observed by married women for their husbands' wellbeing and long life. However, unmarried girls also observe Teej fast and puja to pray for a good husband, similar to how Parvati fasted to get Lord Shiva as her husband. The festival celebrates the divine love story of Shiva and Parvati.

What traditional food is made on Teej?

Traditional Teej foods include: Ghewar (a disc-shaped sweet soaked in syrup, especially popular in Rajasthan), Kheer, Puri, and Sabzi (usually after the fast is broken), Mewa (dry fruits), and traditional sweets. The fast-breaking meal is sattvic and celebratory. Ghewar is the quintessential Teej sweet.

What is the importance of mehndi on Teej?

Applying mehndi (henna) is an important Teej tradition. Married women apply mehndi on hands and feet as a symbol of prosperity and marital bliss. The darker the mehndi color, the stronger the husband's love is believed to be. Mehndi artists do brisk business in the days leading up to Teej.

Is Teej 2026 a public holiday?

Hariyali Teej and Hartalika Teej are public holidays in Rajasthan and some other states. In Rajasthan, Teej is celebrated with special processions (Teej ki Sawari) including decorated elephants and the idol of Goddess Teej Mata. Check your state's 2026 holiday list for specific information.