Hariyali Teej is a joyous monsoon festival celebrated by women across Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, it commemorates Goddess Parvati's profound penance of one hundred and seven births before Lord Shiva accepted her as his consort in her one hundred and eighth incarnation.
The festival falls on the third tithi (Tritiya) of the waxing fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the holy monsoon month of Shravana. Because nature turns lush and vibrant with seasonal rains, the festival is adorned in shades of green (hariyali).
Women wear green attire and bangles, apply intricate mehndi on their hands, sing traditional folk melodies, and swing on decorated swings hung from banyan and neem trees. Married women receive gifts (sindhara) from their parents, and processions of Goddess Teej are carried out through city streets.