Happy Hariyali Teej!

We would like to wish our Hindu DPS families a very Happy Hartalika Teej! We hope those that are celebrating on August 19th have a wonderful day!

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What is Teej?  The moon's cycle determines when Teej is celebrated each year, this year it is on August 19th. The festival is celebrated in July or August annually, at the beginning of India and Nepal's monsoon season. It is celebrated by parts of India and Nepal. It is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly by women.

The festivals for women, include dancing, singing, getting together with friends and telling stories, dressing up with henna-coloured hands and feet, wearing red, green or orange clothes, sharing festive foods, and playing under trees on swings on Haryali Teej. 

Applying Mehendi or Henna to the hands is considered very auspicious. Women adorn their hands and feet with Mehendi a day before the Haryali Teej date. As this day is celebrated as a dedication to Goddess Parvati, married women get dressed in beautiful jewellery and new bright-coloured ethnic clothes.

By Ms Foster (Cultural Studies Specialist)