The primary colour: Green. Hariyali means greenery, and the festival is visually rooted in the monsoon’s green world. A green lehenga-choli or green saree is the correct and traditional Teej outfit. Red is also auspicious — it is the colour of marriage, sindoor, and Parvati.
What the full traditional Teej look includes: Green (or red) lehenga-choli or saree, full set of traditional jewellery (maang tikka, nath, jhumkas, bangles, kamarbandh, payel), sindoor and mangalsutra for married women, and mehndi on hands. Minimal jewellery is actively inappropriate for Teej — the occasion calls for heavy traditional adornment.
The three Teej festivals: Hariyali Teej (Jul 27) is most widely observed. Kajari Teej (Aug 12) is specific to UP and Bihar. Hartalika Teej (Aug 26) is most rigorous, observed in Maharashtra and Nepal. The dress tradition is similar across all three.
Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej: What Each One Is
There are three major Teej festivals observed through the monsoon months of Shravan and Bhadrapada, each with overlapping but distinct traditions. All three are centred on Parvati, her devotion to Shiva, and the blessings of marriage. All three are primarily observed by married women.
| Festival | Date 2026 | Primarily Observed In | Key Ritual | Dress Emphasis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hariyali Teej | Jul 27 (Monday) | Rajasthan, UP, Haryana, Punjab, MP — broadly North India | Fasting, swings (jhula), Teej songs, mehndi application the night before, sending of shringar (adornment items) by husband’s family | Full traditional dress and jewellery. Green is the primary colour. Rajasthani bandhani/leheriya. Most elaborate of the three for dress. |
| Kajari Teej | Aug 12 (Wednesday) | UP (Banaras, Allahabad, Mirzapur), Bihar, parts of MP | Kajari folk songs sung by women; worship of neem tree; fasting; swings | Green saree or lehenga; UP/Bihar regional jewellery styles; simpler than Hariyali Teej in terms of elaborateness but same colour tradition |
| Hartalika Teej | Aug 26 (Wednesday) | Maharashtra, Nepal, parts of Bihar and Jharkhand | Nirjala vrat (waterless fast — no food or water for the full day); all-night vigil; worship of sand idols of Shiva and Parvati | Festive dress; green and red; in Maharashtra often worn with Maharashtrian-style jewellery. Most physically demanding fast of the three. |
Why Green Is the Primary Teej Colour — and What Red Adds
Hariyali means greenery in Hindi. The festival is specifically named for the monsoon’s lush green landscape — the emerald fields, fresh grass, and flowering trees of Shravan. Teej is a celebration of the monsoon, of Parvati’s reunion with Shiva, and of the vitality that the rains bring. Green is the festival’s natural colour because it is the season’s colour.
Red enters the Teej palette through marriage. Red is sindoor — the vermillion applied in the parting of a married woman’s hair. Red is auspicious for marriage and the marital prayers of Teej. Green and red together — the new life of the monsoon and the red of marital life — form the traditional Teej palette.
| Colour | Significance for Teej | Appropriateness | Traditional Outfit Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green (Hariyali) | The monsoon landscape; the meaning of the festival name itself | Primary Teej colour — the first and most correct choice | Green lehenga-choli, green bandhani saree, green Rajasthani leheriya |
| Red | Sindoor, marriage auspiciousness, Parvati’s connection to Shiva | Highly auspicious — equal to green for married women | Red lehenga-choli, red silk saree, red embroidered salwar |
| Yellow / Mustard | Auspicious in Hindu tradition; monsoon haldi (turmeric) colour | Appropriate; less specifically Teej but festive and correct | Yellow cotton lehenga, mustard salwar suit |
| Pink / Fuchsia | Festive and celebratory; Rajasthani tradition uses vivid pinks | Appropriate; particularly in Rajasthan where hot pink is traditional | Bandhani lehenga in pink, Rajasthani printed saree |
| Orange | Adjacent to the Teej palette; auspicious | Acceptable; less specific than green or red | Salwar kameez, simple saree |
| White | Associated with widowhood in traditional North Indian custom | Avoid — Teej is a festival for the longevity of the husband; white is inauspicious here | Do not wear on Teej |
| Black | Generally inauspicious for this type of devotional festival | Avoid for the main Teej celebration and puja | Skip on the festival day |
What a Complete Traditional Teej Outfit Actually Consists Of
Teej is one of the occasions where “traditional Indian dress” is meant in its fullest and most complete sense. The festival is not simply about wearing a green outfit — the complete Teej look for married women includes mehndi, sindoor, specific bangles, and a full set of traditional jewellery. Minimal jewellery is not just understated for Teej — it is actively incorrect for the occasion.
This completeness is part of the festival’s meaning. Teej celebrates the full expression of a married woman’s shringar — her adornment — as an act of devotion and prayer for her husband’s longevity. Wearing a green dress without the bangles, mehndi, and jewellery is participating in half the tradition.
The Complete Teej Look: Clothing
- Green lehenga-choli — the most traditional choice
- Green saree (silk, Banarasi, cotton-silk, or bandhani)
- Red as an equal alternative to green
- Bandhani or leheriya print — specifically Rajasthani Teej
- Embroidered or gota-patti work for the main celebration
- Dupatta is essential — not optional
- Avoid tight or form-fitting Western-style outfits
The Complete Teej Look: Adornment
- Mehndi — applied the evening before; full-hand traditional
- Green and red glass bangles — the specific Teej bangles
- Maang tikka (forehead ornament)
- Nath (nose ring) — traditional in Rajasthan and UP
- Jhumka earrings — heavy and traditional
- Necklace set (rani haar, layered, or temple jewellery)
- Sindoor applied prominently (married women)
- Payel (anklets) and kamarbandh (waist chain) for full look
Rajasthani Teej vs UP/Bihar Teej: How the Dress Differs
The core of Teej dress is the same across regions — green and red, full jewellery, mehndi, traditional outfit. But the specific silhouettes, prints, and jewellery styles differ significantly between Rajasthan and the UP/Bihar tradition.
| Element | Rajasthan Teej | UP / Bihar Teej |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Outfit | Lehenga-choli in green, red, or pink; Rajasthani ghaghara (full-flared skirt) with short choli and long dupatta | Saree in green or red; also lehenga-choli; simpler silhouette than Rajasthani |
| Signature Print | Bandhani (tie-dye dots) and leheriya (diagonal stripes) in green/red combinations are the specific Rajasthani Teej prints | Plain silk sarees, Banarasi weaves in green or red; printed georgette or cotton |
| Key Jewellery | Large Rajasthani nath (nose ring), bajuband (upper arm), gajra (flower bracelet alongside gold bangles), heavy Kundan set, kamarbandh | Maang tikka, jhumka earrings, necklace set, glass bangles; less emphasis on nath; more moderate in overall scale than Rajasthani |
| Swing Dress | Full Rajasthani lehenga with dupatta dramatically arranged; photographed on decorated swings; very visual and elaborate | Saree or simpler lehenga on swing; Kajari songs are central; less visual elaborateness than Jaipur Teej |
| State Teej Celebration | Jaipur’s Teej procession is a major state-level event; women dress in their finest and participate in a procession through the city | Community and family-level celebration; no comparable state procession; Kajari folk singing is the distinctive cultural element |
What to Wear for Teej: Outfit Options for All Three Festivals
Green Bandhani Lehenga-Choli
A green bandhani (tie-dye) lehenga-choli is the most specifically Rajasthani Teej outfit that exists. The small white dots of bandhani on deep bottle green or emerald, worn with a short choli and a long dupatta, is what Teej looks like in Rajasthan. Full jewellery set. Mehndi. The complete look.
Rs 3,500 – Rs 35,000Green Leheriya Saree
Leheriya (the diagonal striped print of Rajasthan) in green and gold or green and red is another specific Teej textile. A leheriya saree or a leheriya dupatta with a coordinated outfit is specifically associated with Hariyali Teej. Worn with gold or polki jewellery and mehndi.
Rs 2,000 – Rs 20,000Green Banarasi Silk Saree
For Kajari Teej (Aug 12) observed in UP and Bihar, a green silk Banarasi saree is the most traditional and beautiful choice. Worn with the full complement of jewellery including maang tikka and jhumkas. The mehndi and glass bangles are still important for the Kajari tradition.
Rs 4,000 – Rs 40,000Green or Red Silk Saree / Lehenga
For Hartalika Teej (Aug 26, observed in Maharashtra), the nirjala (waterless) fast is the most rigorous aspect. The dress is still festive — a green or red silk saree in the Maharashtrian tradition, or a green lehenga. Comfortable for a long all-night vigil but properly festive.
Rs 2,500 – Rs 18,000Teej Jewellery: Every Piece and What It Means
Jewellery is not optional decoration for Teej. The shringar (adornment) of a married woman on Teej is part of the festival’s devotional practice. Each piece of jewellery carries a specific significance in the context of marriage and Parvati’s story.
Green and Red Glass Bangles
The specific Teej bangles — green glass bangles and red glass bangles worn together on both wrists. These are the most distinctively Teej accessory. Many women who do not normally wear glass bangles wear them specifically for Teej. The glass bangle tradition is tied to the monsoon season and the greenery of Hariyali. They are sold in sets at every market in the days before Teej and are inexpensive (Rs 50-200 for a set).
Maang Tikka
The forehead ornament is one of the sixteen shringar items and is central to the Teej look. Traditional maang tikkas for Teej tend to be heavier and more elaborate than everyday pieces — Kundan, polki, or pearl-set pieces that sit prominently in the hair parting. The sindoor in the maang is usually accentuated for Teej by applying it more generously than usual.
Nath (Nose Ring)
In Rajasthan and UP, the nath is an important part of the traditional Teej look for married women. Rajasthani naths are often large — a circular ring that extends across the cheek, supported by a chain going to the hair. Smaller and more manageable naths are also traditional and appropriate if the large version is unfamiliar. The nath is one of the sixteen shringar items and its wearing on Teej is traditional.
Jhumka Earrings
Heavy jhumkas in gold, Kundan, or meenakari (enamel work) are the traditional Teej earring. Small studs or contemporary geometric earrings are not appropriate for the full Teej look. The weight and swing of the jhumka are part of the aesthetic — traditional shringar jewellery is deliberately substantial.
Necklace Set
A rani haar (long layered necklace), a layered Kundan set, or a traditional temple jewellery necklace is correct for Teej. The necklace should be substantial and traditional — a delicate single chain is not the right scale for this occasion. Polki, Kundan, meenakari, or gold are all appropriate materials.
Kamarbandh and Payel
The kamarbandh (waist chain or belt) and payel (anklets) complete the traditional Teej look for those following the full shringar tradition. The payel in silver or gold with small bells is traditional and auspicious. Many women wear all 16 shringar items on Teej as an act of devotion to Parvati, who is considered the ideal of marriage and devotion.
Teej Outfit Budget: Four Tiers
Teej budgeting needs to account for both the outfit and the jewellery — the jewellery is not an afterthought but a core part of the occasion. Plan the total look together.
- Green cotton or georgette salwar kameez (Rs 600-1,500)
- Green and red glass bangles (Rs 50-200)
- Gold-plated Kundan maang tikka (Rs 300-600)
- Jhumka earrings in gold-plated or meenakari (Rs 400-800)
- Imitation Kundan necklace set (Rs 600-1,200)
- Mehndi application (Rs 100-400 from local mehndiwali)
- Green cotton-silk or Chanderi lehenga-choli (Rs 2,500-6,000)
- Green bandhani dupatta
- Semi-precious stone Kundan set (Rs 1,500-3,500)
- Polki or Kundan maang tikka and jhumka set
- Silver payel and kamarbandh (Rs 600-1,500)
- Full-hand mehndi from specialist (Rs 400-800)
- Green bandhani or leheriya silk lehenga (Rs 8,000-25,000)
- Handwoven green Banarasi saree for UP/Bihar Teej
- Polki or Kundan full jewellery set (necklace, maang tikka, jhumka)
- Silver or gold kamarbandh
- Traditional nath in Kundan or polki
- Designer mehndi artist (Rs 1,500-4,000)
- Designer Rajasthani lehenga — Sabyasachi, Anita Dongre, or Ritu Kumar
- Real polki or uncut diamond Kundan jewellery set
- Heritage bandhani lehenga from Jaipur specialist
- Full shringar set in gold from Rajasthani jeweller
- Bespoke mehndi design by top artist (Rs 5,000-15,000)