CM Dhami extends Hariyali Teej greetings to women of Uttarakhand
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
On the auspicious morning of Hariyali Teej, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended warm wishes to women across the state, invoking the blessings of Maa Gauri and Lord Shiva for marital happiness, peace, and prosperity.
In his message, CM Dhami described the festival as 'aaradhana, bhakti evam aastha ka pavan parv' — a sacred festival of worship, devotion, and faith — and called it a symbol of love, dedication, good fortune, and well-being. He offered prayers that harmony and joy endure in the conjugal lives of all devotees.
Hariyali Teej: Sawan's festival of fasting and faith
Hariyali Teej falls on the third day of the bright fortnight in the month of Sawan (Shravan), one of the most sacred months in the Hindu calendar. Observed primarily by women across North India — including Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar — the festival centres on fasting, prayers, and rituals dedicated to the divine union of Goddess Parvati (Gauri) and Lord Shiva. Married women observe the fast for the long life and well-being of their husbands; unmarried women pray for a devoted partner.
The festival also marks the arrival of the monsoon season, with its name 'Hariyali' — meaning greenery — evoking the lush landscape that Sawan brings. Swings, folk songs, and vibrant green attire are central to its celebration.
A chief minister's cultural pulse
CM Dhami, a BJP leader known for his active social media presence, regularly marks regional and national festivals with public greetings — a practice common among state chief ministers to reinforce cultural connection with constituents. Uttarakhand, a state with deep roots in Hindu pilgrimage and tradition, sees Teej celebrated widely across its hills and plains. The Chief Minister's message, posted on the occasion of Independence Day, August 15, carried a dual resonance of national pride and devotional festivity.
As women across Uttarakhand observe fasts and gather for communal celebrations, the Chief Minister's message underscores the state government's sustained engagement with the living traditions of its people — and reminds the faithful that this Sawan, the blessings of Shiva and Gauri are being invoked from the highest office in the state.