what is Hartalika Teej

Hartalika Teej

Hartalika Teej falls on the third day of the first fortnight of the month of ‘Bhadra’. The festival continues three days and is celebrated by women in honor of Parvati Ma. It is one of three Teej festivals and most popularly celebrated in  the States of Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh Jharkhand,  and Haryana, during the month of Shravan.  Married as well as unmarried women.This festival is dedicated to Goddess Parvati.

On This year Hartalika Teej is going to celebrated on 4^th September. This festival is celebrated by married as well as unmarried women   this day women decorate themselves and put all jewelry, new saree, bangles, aalta, Heena. She does all ‘solah shringalr”.

Story of Teej: According to Hindu mythology Parvati was in love with Shiva. Being an ascetic Lord shiva was not aware of her. She went through hard-core tapasya or penance and took 108 births on the earth. The myth also states that she failed to have Lord Shiva as her husband till 107th birth. In her 108th birth, Lord Shiva realized her devotion and love for him and accepted as his wife. Since then Parvati has been worshipped as Haritalika.

This festival is not only for married but also for unmarried too. Unmarried girls  keep the fast and pray to Goddesses Parvati in hope to get good husbands.  Married women keep the Vrat in order to achieve happy and peaceful married life. Married ladies come back to their parent’s home to celebrate the festival. Some even maintain nirjala vrata (without water) on these three days and refrain from sleep all the three days. This is symbolic of the penance which Goddesses Parvati undertook to get Shiva as her husband. During the Vrat food is being offered to Brahmins and young girls.

In the evening a special Vrat (fast) katha is chanted. These are stories based on Hindu legends which are narrated to ladies who gather to conclude their fast ceremony. Teej Vrat Katha is very crucial feature of Teej celebrations.

After vrat (fast) lady ask for any gift from husband and he cannot deny. He even feels happy to present a gift to his beloved wife, who took pain in keeping nirjala vrat (fast without water).