Teej, a significant festival to welcome the bliss of monsoon is also one of the biggest annual festivals in Hindu Religion. To a large extent, girls and women of North India observe Hartalika Teej and celebrate the bliss of the beginning of monsoon. Furthermore, on this day, they join together, draw beautiful designs with Henna on each other’s hands, worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, sing devotional songs and rejoice by dance. Therefore, it stands as one of the most awaited festivals for them.

Annually, the festival of Hartalika Teej Vrat falls on Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad month. According to the Gregorian calendar, the date varies from the month of August to September every year.

There are three famous Teej–

• Hariyali Teej

• Kajari Teej

• Hartalika Teej

Each Teej has its own implications and values. Moreover, the festival marks an end on the heatwave of the summer season and bestows refreshing breeze, contentedness, and delight of nature. There is a great significance of Hartalika Teej. Thus, dive in the following paras to learn everything you need to know about Teej–

Significance of Hartalika Teej

Hartalika Teej is one of the major Hindu festivals that fall on the bright half of the North Indian Lunar month of Bhadrapud. According to Hindu beliefs, Goddess Parvati pledged that any unmarried or married woman who performs the certain ritual of Hartalika Teej will fortunate to receive a loving and desired partner. It is believed that whosoever observes the strict fast of Teej is blessed with the desired soulmate or life-partner. In addition, married women pray for the well-being of their husbands.

Also, women revel in Red colour on this prosperous day and celebrate sisterhood. They sing and dance to express their joy. In addition, it is believed that ladies who celebrate this festival perform Jagran for the entire night. Furthermore, on the next day, women eat Prasad (offering) and break their fast.

As a matter of fact, during the fast, all women relinquish food as well as water for 24 hours. This ritual makes the Hartalika fast a tough custom to perform. In accordance with the beliefs, if a woman observes the fast of Hartalika Teej, she must continue it eternally. However, any lady wishes to discontinue the fast, she can perform a proper ritual and offer gratitude to Shiva and Parvati.

Story Behind the Celebration of Hartalika Teej

The term Hartalika is an amalgamation of Harat meaning abduction and Aalika meaning female friend. According to Hindu Mythology behind the celebration of Hartalika Teej, Goddess Parvati’s female friend takes her into a thick forest so that her father could not send her to marry Lord Vishnu against her wish.

Goddess Parvati, in her 108th form, falls in love with her destined soulmate Lord Shiva. She engages herself into the deep devotion of Lord Shiva and preparing Shivalinga. Also, she performs tough penance in Himalaya mountain and near River Ganga. However, looking at her devotion, Lord Vishnu presents wish to marry her. Nonetheless, Goddess was irrecoverably in love with Shiva. Thus, she leaves into the large forest after her female companion’s advice and continues to worship Lord Shiva. Further, pleased and impressed by her penance, Lord Shiva agrees to marry her.

Thus, the festival commemorates the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Core Rituals and Festivity

Similar to the penance of Goddess Parvati, the occasion of all three Teejs embraces the embellishment of women, Nirajal fast and worship. Also, this fast is also known as Nishivasar Nirjala Vrat. However, the shape & form of celebration varies from one region to another.

On this day, women adorn themselves in red & green lure of colours, bandles, beautiful ornaments, and strict fasting.

Puja Vidhi

• The puja begins with taking bath, cleaning worship area and worship idols of God.

• Further, women and girls who are to observe fast on this day wear fine-looking red and green clothes.

• Afterwards, they prepare offerings for worship.

• Post preparing offering, women sit for Hartalika Puja.

• They perform Puja and take Sankalp (oath) to fulfil the rules of Vrat for the occasion to please Uma-Maheshwar (Shiva-Parvati).

• Further, all women and girls perform Shodashopachara Puja and Anga Puja.

Hartalika Teej Celebration Across the Country

By the same token of all Hindu Festivals, Hartalika Teej also has numerous forms of celebration across the county.

– Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, the festival of Hartalika Teej holds a special eminence. On this day, to honour the occasion, devotees take out grand processions with the worship idol of Goddess Parvati. Also, they perform Shiva-Parvati Puja.

– Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh, it is a festival to worship Goddess Parvati in her 108th form and Teej Mata. Similarly, in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand, people observe Hartalika Teej on a grand level.

– South India

In Karnataka, this festival is popular with the name of Gowri Habba. Here, devotees consider it an important day to seek the blessing of Goddess Gowri (Parvati). For the occasion, they prepare worship idol of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva with clay and perform Puja and distribute offerings. In addition, people in Maharashtra observe the festival with the same name as Karnataka.

– Nepal

Here, the festival is popular with the name of Dar. Devotees in Nepal perform 24 hours of strict fast. However, there is no less excitement among them while taking part in traditional songs and dance. Also, on this day, Pashupatinath temple observes a grand amount of devotees that come to take blessings of God. In addition, thousands of women appear in beautiful red and green saree to offer worship.

Best Food for Hartalika Teej

Specifically, the festival marks a fasting occasion. However, to add an inessential enhancement like every Hindu festival, here are the Best food for Hartalika Teej-

Sweets- Ghewar, Nariyal Laddu, Sabudana Kheer, and Aloo Halwa.

Snack- Amaranth Tikki, Moong Dal Samosa, and Rasilee Aloo.

Meal- Gatte Ki Sabzi, Masala Chana, Dum Aloo,