A group of Eden Prairie women gathered at Riley Lake Park earlier this month to celebrate Hariyali Teej, a Hindu festival special to married women. Photo by Steve Schewe
A group of Eden Prairie women with Indian heritage celebrated the Hindu festival of Hariyali Teej earlier this month in Riley Lake Park.
The Hennepin Village residents were participating in the festival that holds particular significance to married women. Hariyali Teej, celebrated in 2024 on Aug. 7, honors the relationship between the Hindu god Shiva and goddess Parvati.
Participants Shalini, Saumya, Sujata, Shweta, and Preeti show off their hands decorated with henna, as well as the green-colored bangles they donned for the holiday. Photo by Steve Schewe
The color green, participants explained, is associated with Teej because the festival takes place during India’s seasonal shift to the rainy season, with the color associated with leaves and greenery. In celebration of the festival, they said, women dress up in nice clothes, including bangles, and gather with other women. They may also prepare sweets to be distributed and decorate their hands with henna.
Celebrations in India, the women said, also involve swings hung from trees.