Kevada Teej

Kevda Teej also known as Kewda Trij or Gowri Habba, is a festival observed on Shukla Paksha Tritiya tithi of Bhadrapada month. This festival is similar to Hartalika Teej Vrat. This festival is dedicated to Shiva and Parvathi. Both married and unmarried women observe this vrat with great enthusiasm and devotion. Married women observe this Kevda Trij Vrat for happy married life and for the well-being of their whole family. Unmarried women observe this teej to be blessed with a good spouse.

Kevada Teej 2023

Significance

Kevda Teej is a grand festival for women of Gujrat and Karnataka (Gowri Hubba) Flowers of Kevda (Agave) are offered to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati only on this day. This Agave flower was actually cursed by Lord Shiva who revealed His presence to Lord Brahma during the tussle between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu on their supremacy. Agava flower repented the mistake and following the repentance Lord Shiva blessed that He would wear this flower only on Kevda Teej. This flower is called Kewda (Hindi), Thazhampoo (Tamil), Ketaki / Dhuli Pushpam (Sanskrit). This tritiya tithi is the day Goddess Parvathi completed Her 16 years of Penance in the Himalayas and Lord Shiva married Her.

Rituals

On the Kevda Trij, women wake early in the morning, preferably before Sunrise. Clean and sanctify their living spaces and pooja altar. Set up idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi made from clay specially bought for this pooja. They dress up elegantly, wear Red or Green colored clothes and bangles signifying luck. During pooja, they offer flowers, fruits, flowers and green vegetables, along with the special flower of occasion, Kevda. Special Neivadhya made from coconut like coconut burfi or ksheera are offered to the divine couple, then distributed among the family. Families gather, visit Lord Shiva temples and offer special prayers to Lord Shiva and Parvathi. Some devotees observe complete fast, and some observe a partial fast with one meal on this day.

Benefits

Kevada Teej festival dates between 2019 & 2029

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