Shekhawat extends Hariyali Teej greetings to Rajasthan
Synopsis
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat extended Hariyali Teej greetings on 15 August 2026, calling the monsoon festival a symbol of marital harmony and good fortune, celebrated on the third day of Shravana's Shukla Paksha.
Key Takeaways
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat , Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, posted Hariyali Teej greetings on 15 August 2026 .
Hariyali Teej falls on the third day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravana .
The festival is described as a symbol of suhag aur saubhagya — marital harmony and good fortune.
The occasion is especially significant in Rajasthan , where it is marked by folk traditions, swings, and traditional dress.
The greeting aligns with the Culture Ministry's emphasis on recognising India's living regional festivals.
On the auspicious occasion of Hariyali Teej, Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat extended warm wishes to people across the state, marking the festival observed on the third day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravana.
Posting on Saturday, 15 August 2026, Shekhawat described the festival as a symbol of suhag aur saubhagya — marital harmony and good fortune — and offered heartfelt greetings to all residents of the state.
What Hariyali Teej marks
Hariyali Teej falls each year on the third day of the bright fortnight of Shravana, the peak of the monsoon season in northern India. The festival is celebrated primarily by married women and is closely associated with prayers for marital bliss, the worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and the arrival of the rains that turn the landscape green — hence the name 'Hariyali', meaning greenery.
In Rajasthan, the festival carries deep cultural weight, marked by swings, folk songs, and traditional attire, and draws significant participation across towns and villages alike.
A minister of culture, a festival of tradition
As Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shekhawat's public acknowledgement of regional festivals aligns with the ministry's broader emphasis on celebrating India's living cultural traditions. Indian political leaders routinely mark such occasions on social media, but for a minister whose portfolio spans cultural preservation and tourism promotion, the gesture carries added institutional resonance — particularly in a state like Rajasthan where festivals are also a key driver of tourist footfall.
Point of View
Publicly marking Hariyali Teej is more than a seasonal pleasantry — it reflects the BJP government's consistent strategy of positioning the state as a custodian of Hindu cultural traditions. Shekhawat's Rajasthan base makes the gesture politically natural, but the ministry angle gives it institutional weight. As tourism tied to festivals grows in economic importance, such signals from the Culture Ministry increasingly blur the line between cultural celebration and soft promotion of heritage tourism.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hariyali Teej and when is it celebrated?
Hariyali Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated on the third day of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the month of Shravana, typically falling during the monsoon season. It is associated with marital harmony, the worship of Shiva and Parvati, and the onset of the rains.
Why did Gajendra Singh Shekhawat post Hariyali Teej greetings?
As Union Minister of Culture and Tourism and a Lok Sabha MP from Rajasthan — a state where Hariyali Teej is widely celebrated — Shekhawat extended greetings to mark the festival's cultural and religious significance for his constituents.
What does Hariyali Teej mean?
'Hariyali' means greenery in Hindi, referring to the lush landscape brought by monsoon rains. 'Teej' refers to the third day of a lunar fortnight. Together, the name captures both the seasonal and spiritual character of the festival.
How is Hariyali Teej celebrated in Rajasthan?
In Rajasthan, Hariyali Teej is marked by women dressing in traditional green attire, singing folk songs, decorating swings, and observing fasts for marital well-being. It is one of the prominent monsoon festivals in the state.
What is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's role in the government?
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism in the Government of India. He is a senior BJP leader and serves as a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
