Hartalika Teej is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the month of Shravana in honour of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. (Representative image/PTI)
Hartalika Teej festival is marked by fasting, prayers and colourful rituals. Women fast from sunrise to sunset to enjoy a happy married life.
Hartalika Teej, an important Hindu festival, will be celebrated on September 6 this year. Celebrated mainly in the northern part of the country, the festival is marked with fasting, prayers, colourful attire and cultural activities, all centred on marital bliss.
On this day, women fast and perform rituals to receive the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Married women pray for marital joy, prosperity, well-being and longevity of their husbands. Hartalika Teej Vrat It is a strict fast in which women abstain not only from food but also from water and fruits, from dawn on the day of the Vrat until the dawn of Chaturthi the next day.
According to Dr Ganesh Mishra, an astrologer at the Central Sanskrit University in Puri, there are certain rules that should be followed and some that should not be followed during fasting. If they are not followed, the fast may prove ineffective.
What is Hartalika Teej Fast and how did it get its name?
Hartalika Teej is seen in the Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the month of Shravana in honour of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The fast is maintained to ensure a long life to the husband and a happy married life. The term “Hartalika” is derived from two words: “Harat”, which means kidnapping, and “Aalika”, which means friend, so it translates as “kidnapping by friends”. “Teej” refers to Tritiya Tithi.
Goddess Parvati's father wanted her to marry Lord Vishnu, but she wanted to marry Lord Shiva. To prevent this, her friends took her out of the palace and hid her in the forest. There, after performing rigorous penances for many years, Goddess Parvati pleased Lord Shiva and finally won him as her husband.
Rules for Hartalika Teej
Preparation: One day before fasting, consume only Satvik food and make preparations for the Teej bid and Sargi.
Fast: Hartalika Teej fasting is performed without drinking water or eating food or fruits. This fast lasts from the dawn of the day of Teej to the dawn of the day of Chaturti, a total of 24 hours.
Sargis: On the day of Teej, consume Sargi in it Brahma Muhurta between 4:30 am and 5:16 am after completing daily tasks. Sargi It may include fruits, sweets, etc. Fasting begins at 6:02 AM.
Bid: Use clay idols or images of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha for Teej puja. Install the idol for puja in the evening and perform the puja during the day. Pradosh Kaalwhich is after sunset at 6:36 pm
Attire: Wear new clothes and the 16 traditional ornaments. Wear yellow sindoor when worshipping Goddess Parvati as it is considered a symbol of good fortune.
Offers: On Teej Puja, offer Suhaag-san Items like red saris and dupattas to Goddess Parvati. Married women must narrate the story of Hartalika Teej Vrat and perform the Aarti for Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.
After the Puja: After the auction, present gifts, junk food, and Suhaag-san Send items to your mother-in-law and ask for her blessings. Those who are fasting to find their ideal partner should also ask for the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to fulfill their wishes.
Stay up late: Stay awake throughout the night. On September 7, take a bath in the morning, perform the daily puja and make donations (Dakshina) to the Brahmins. Complete the fast with prayers.
Health Considerations: Do not sleep during the afternoon while fasting. If your health is not good, you may choose not to observe the fast. 'Nirjala' Fasting. Instead, you can ask your husband to fast in your place.
