Hariyali Teej 2025: The Vrat That Honours Maa Parvati’s Tapasya & Shiv Shakti Milan

Celebrate Hariyali Teej 2025 by honoring Maa Parvati’s powerful tapasya and her divine union with Lord Shiva.

As the holy month of Sawan arrives, the air fills with devotion, greenery, and joy. Among many beautiful festivals in Sanatan Dharma, Hariyali Teej holds a very special place. It’s not just about swings, green sarees, or festive songs — it’s a vrat that connects us with the powerful story of Maa Parvati's deep tapasya to reunite with Lord Shiva.

This year, Hariyali Teej 2025 falls on Sunday, July 27, and will be observed by women across India with deep devotion and spiritual discipline.

The Sacred Story: Maa Parvati's Tapasya for Shiva

The origin of Hariyali Teej lies in the divine love story of Maa Parvati and Lord Shiva. Parvati was born as the daughter of King Himavan, but in truth, she was the rebirth of Sati, Shiva’s first consort. Sati had immolated herself when her father Daksha insulted Shiva. After her death, Shiva went into deep meditation and detached himself from the world.

Parvati, carrying the same love from her past birth, was determined to reunite with Mahadev. Even though Shiva remained indifferent, Parvati decided to win his heart through pure tapasya (penance).

She left her palace, gave up all comforts, wore simple clothes, and began her penance in the forests. She lived on fruits, then leaves, then water, and eventually survived only on air. Her body became weak, but her spirit was unshakable. Her only goal: to make Shiva her husband.

The Spiritual Significance of Parvati’s Tapasya:

The story of Goddess Parvati’s intense tapasya (austerity) is one of the most profound spiritual narratives in Hinduism. It embodies unwavering devotion, steadfast determination, and the power of feminine spiritual strength. Parvati’s penance not only symbolizes her love for Lord Shiva but also serves as a timeless example of dedication and discipline that inspires millions of devotees.

मम व्रतमिदं देव त्वयि नैव परिवर्तते।

त्वं मे पतिरिति श्रुता निश्चयं मे मनो गतम्॥

"O Lord, my vow shall never change; I have resolved in my heart that only you shall be my husband.”

Parvati’s severe austerity stemmed from her singular resolve to marry Lord Shiva. As per Hindu scriptures,the Skanda Purana:

She was the reincarnation of Sati, who had previously married Shiva.

After Sati’s self-immolation, Parvati was born with the divine purpose of reuniting with Shiva.

Acting on the command of Brahma and Narada, she renounced all worldly comforts.

Her tapasya aimed to win the favor and acceptance of Lord Shiva as her husband.

Through her penance, she sought not only marital union but also cosmic balance, representing the ideal yogini and shakti (energy).

सा निमेषक्षणे तस्मिन् देवी देवस्य पूर्वजा।

निविष्टा हृदये तस्य श्रृणु शंभोः कथां शुभाम७

 "In that very moment, the goddess entered Shiva’s heart, uniting spiritually and emotionally. Thus began the blessed saga of Shiva and Parvati's union." — Shiva Puran

Shiva, seeing her unmatched devotion, finally accepted her as his eternal consort. Their union is not just of two divine beings but the meeting of Purusha (Shiva) and Prakriti (Shakti) — the masculine and feminine energies of the universe.

Duration and Intensity of the Tapasya

Parvati is believed to have performed austerities for 3000 years in the Himalayas, progressively subsisting on fruits, leaves, water, and finally only air. Some texts also mention her undertaking tapasya over 108 lifetimes to attain Shiva’s hand.

This tapasya involved:

Severe fasting and renunciation of pleasures.

Enduring harsh natural elements.

Continuous meditation and chanting of the sacred mantra “Om Namah Shivaya.”

“ॐ नमः शिवाय”

(The five-syllable mantra chanted continuously by Parvati during her penance.)

प्रथमं वर्षमश्नात स्वादुफलानि शङ्करम्।

द्वितीयं पत्रभक्षी च तृतीयं जलाशना॥

चतुर्थेऽपि तपः कृत्वा पञ्चमे वायुभोजनम्॥

(Kalidasa, Kumarasambhavam)

 In the first year, she ate only fruits, the second year only leaves, the third year survived on water, the fourth practiced austerities, and in the fifth year subsisted on air alone.

Hindu Rituals and Spiritual Context

Parvati’s tapasya is deeply embedded in numerous Hindu rituals and festivals such as Hariyali Teej and Hartalika Teej, where women observe fasts and worship the goddess to seek marital bliss and spiritual strength.

Key spiritual practices inspired by her tapasya include:

Nirjala Vrat: Observing fast without even water, paralleling Parvati’s extreme renunciation.

Solah Shringar: Adorning oneself symbolically as Parvati to invoke her divine qualities.

Puja and Bhajans: Chanting mantras and singing devotional songs centered on Shiva-Parvati.

Swinging (Jhoola): Symbolic of the joyous nature of the divine couple’s union after tapasya.

These rituals emphasize self-control, devotion, and concentration—the pillars of spiritual growth.

 Significance of Hariyali Teej 2025

Hariyali Teej falls on the Tritiya Tithi (third day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan (Sawan). "Hariyali" means greenery, symbolizing the monsoon's arrival and fertility, while "Teej" refers to the third day.

For married women, this vrat is a sacred opportunity to pray for the well-being, longevity, and spiritual growth of their husbands. For unmarried girls, it is a divine vrat to seek a life partner as devoted and divine as Lord Shiva himself.

The fast is often nirjala (without water), and women observe it with complete faith, inspired by Maa Parvati’s tapasya. This vrat not only strengthens the bond between partners but also helps women connect deeply with their own inner strength and spiritual discipline.

Rituals of Hariyali Teej 2025: Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi

To perform Hariyali Teej 2025 vrat at home, follow these sacred rituals:

Early Morning Preparation

Wake up before sunrise, bathe, and wear green traditional attire.

Adorn yourself with solah shringar (16 adornments) as a mark of devotion and beauty.

 Puja Vidhi

• Clean the puja space and purify it with Ganga jal.

• Place an idol or photo of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati on a decorated chowki.

• Offer belpatra, dhatura, flowers, fruits, sweets, haldi-kumkum, and traditional makeup items.

• Perform abhishek of Lord Shiva with water, milk, honey, and ghee (Panchamrit).

• Offer sindoor and bangles to Maa Parvati and pray with deep devotion.

• Read or listen to the Hariyali Teej vrat katha (story of the vrat).

• Sing bhajans and perform aarti.

 Breaking the Fast

The fast is broken only after seeing the moon and offering prayers. Some women continue it till the next morning with night-long prayers and bhajans.

 The Eternal Message of Hariyali Teej 2025

Hariyali Teej 2025 is not just a ritualistic celebration — it’s a powerful reminder of how devotion and determination can move the universe. Maa Parvati’s tapasya teaches us patience, inner strength, and unwavering faith in divine timing.

As you swing under green trees, sing traditional songs, and wear green bangles, remember — you are part of a legacy of spiritual women whose love and strength changed the course of destiny.

Let this Teej be not only about celebration but also spiritual awakening and connection with your inner Shakti.