July 28, 2025: Krishna temples across India witnessed a vibrant celebration of Hariyali Teej, a festival marked by devotion, traditional rituals, and spiritual significance. The day drew large crowds of devotees, particularly women, who gathered in temples to seek blessings for marital bliss, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
Hariyali Teej, observed on the third day of the bright fortnight of the Shravana month (Shukla Tritiya), is dedicated to the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. However, in many regions, especially in North India, the festival is also celebrated in temples dedicated to Lord Krishna, as it coincides with the monsoon season when nature is lush and green—symbolizing love, renewal, and fertility.
This year, the festival fell on a spiritually significant Sunday, making it an ideal occasion for punya snana—a ritual bath believed to purify the body and soul. Devotees began the day early by taking a holy dip in rivers or temple tanks, followed by puja offerings and chanting devotional songs.
Temples dedicated to Lord Krishna in Mathura, Vrindavana, Dwarka, and Nathdwara were especially crowded. The Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan and Shri Krishna Janmabhumi in Mathura saw thousands of visitors participating in special darshan and bhajan sessions. Beautiful floral decorations, traditional swings (jhulas) for the deity, and cultural performances added grandeur to the celebrations.
Women dressed in green saris, adorned with bangles and mehndi, observed fasts and prayed for the well-being of their husbands. Unmarried girls also participated, wishing for an ideal life partner. Traditional folk songs and dances echoed in temple premises and homes alike, celebrating the bond of love and devotion.
Apart from Krishna temples, Shakti temples, and Shiva-Parvati shrines also held special rituals and katha sessions narrating the significance of Hariyali Teej. The day also served as a reminder of ecological harmony, with many communities planting saplings as a symbolic gesture of honoring nature.
The festival, deeply rooted in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, once again reflected the collective faith of millions who come together to rejoice in divine love and the nurturing rhythm of the monsoon.
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