Chapter 8
Haryali Teej
1. What is Haryali Teej and in which month is it celebrated?
Answer: Haryali Teej is a traditional Indian festival celebrated in the month of Shravan, which is also known as Sawan. It marks the beginning of the rainy season and is associated with greenery, happiness, and prosperity.
2. What does the word ‘Haryali’ mean and why is it significant?
Answer: The word ‘Haryali’ means greenery. It is significant because after the rains, new plants grow and the surroundings become green, symbolizing life, growth, and prosperity.
3. What does ‘Teej’ signify in the festival Haryali Teej?
Answer: ‘Teej’ means the third day of the month. The festival is celebrated on the third day of the Shravan month according to the Hindu calendar.
4. Which Hindu deities are associated with Haryali Teej?
Answer: Haryali Teej is associated with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed to be the day when Goddess Parvati was reunited with Lord Shiva.
5. Why is Haryali Teej important for married women?
Answer: Haryali Teej strengthens the bond of love and happiness in married life. Women pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands and family.
6. How does the weather change after the first shower of Sawan?
Answer: After the first shower of Sawan, the weather becomes cool and pleasant. The soil becomes soft, and greenery spreads everywhere.
7. What changes occur in nature during Haryali Teej?
Answer: New plants grow, the soil becomes loose and fertile, and greenery spreads all around. A small red insect called teej also comes out from the earth’s surface.
8. What is the ‘teej’ insect mentioned in the lesson?
Answer: The teej insect is a small red insect that appears on the earth’s surface during the rainy season, symbolizing the arrival of Teej.
9. How do people feel during the festival of Haryali Teej?
Answer: Men, women, and children feel happy, cheerful, and excited. The atmosphere becomes joyful and festive.
10. What kind of clothes do people wear on Haryali Teej?
Answer: People wear new, colourful, and traditional clothes to celebrate the festival.
11. What activities do girls enjoy during Haryali Teej?
Answer: Girls sing folk songs, enjoy swings, apply mehndi on their hands, and wear colourful bangles.
12. What religious activity do women perform on this festival?
Answer: Women worship Goddess Parvati and pray for happiness and prosperity in their married life.
13. What do boys usually do during Haryali Teej?
Answer: Boys enjoy flying kites of different colours, shapes, and sizes.
14. How are homes decorated and prepared for Haryali Teej?
Answer: Homes are cleaned, decorated, and filled with festive food items and sweets.
15. Name some special dishes prepared on Haryali Teej.
Answer: Special dishes like gulgulas, suhalis, puras, ghevar, and pheni are prepared on this occasion.
16. What gifts do parents give to their married daughters?
Answer: Parents give gifts and sweets like ghevar and pheni to their married daughters.
17. How do people celebrate Haryali Teej collectively?
Answer: People celebrate with zeal and zest by participating in fairs, singing, dancing, swinging, and enjoying games.
18. What role do fairs play during Haryali Teej?
Answer: Fairs add joy and excitement to the festival. They bring people together and offer entertainment and shopping.
19. Where are swings set up during the festival?
Answer: Swings are set up in open courtyards and public places.
20. Who visits the fairs organized during Haryali Teej?
Answer: Children, adults, and elderly people visit the fairs along with their friends and family members.
21. What kind of atmosphere is seen at the fairs?
Answer: The fairs are full of hustle and bustle, with large crowds wearing colourful clothes.
22. What items are sold by vendors in the fairs?
Answer: Vendors sell balloons, toys, bangles, dresses, sweets, and many other items.
23. What do children usually buy at the fairs?
Answer: Children buy balloons, kites, flutes, toy cars, and other toys.
24. Why do children shout ‘voh kata’ during the festival?
Answer: Children shout ‘voh kata’ when a kite is cut off during kite flying.
25. How does the sky look during Haryali Teej?
Answer: The sky looks colourful and overcast with many flying kites of different shapes and sizes.
26. What activities do women enjoy at the fair?
Answer: Women buy bangles, other items, and enjoy swing rides.
27. How do people from distant places take part in the festival?
Answer: People from far and wide come to attend the fair and enjoy the celebrations.
28. What traditional sports are organized during Haryali Teej?
Answer: Wrestling and kabaddi matches are organized during the festival.
29. Why do people gather to watch sports events?
Answer: People gather to watch and enjoy the matches and support the players.
30. What do winners receive in these sports competitions?
Answer: Winners receive prizes for their performance.
31. How does the festival strengthen social bonds?
Answer: It brings families, friends, and communities together, promoting unity and happiness.
32. Why is Haryali Teej considered a festival of joy and prosperity?
Answer: It celebrates rain, greenery, good harvest, happiness, and a prosperous life.
33. How does Haryali Teej reflect Indian culture and traditions?
Answer: It shows respect for nature, devotion to gods, traditional food, music, dance, and community life.
34. What happens after a full day of celebration?
Answer: After enjoying the festival, people return to their homes happily.
35. Why is rain important for celebrating Haryali Teej?
Answer: Rain brings greenery, life, and prosperity, which are central themes of the festival.
36. What makes Haryali Teej special for children?
Answer: Children enjoy swings, fairs, toys, kite flying, and delicious food.
37. How does the festival promote happiness in family life?
Answer: Through prayers, togetherness, sharing food, and exchanging gifts.
38. What lesson does Haryali Teej teach us about nature?
Answer: It teaches us to respect nature and celebrate its blessings.
39. How does Haryali Teej bring colour and joy to life?
Answer: Through colourful clothes, decorations, songs, dances, fairs, and festivities.
40. Why should festivals like Haryali Teej be celebrated?
Answer: They preserve culture, spread happiness, strengthen relationships, and remind us of the importance of nature and tradition.
Answer by Mrinmoee
