Hartalika Teej 2023: Timing, Significance And Vidhi

Devout Hindu wives observe many fasts throughout the year for their husband’s longevity, prosperity, and healthy life. Hartalika Teej is also one such fast by married Hindu women. This three-day fasting festival honors Goddess Parvati. Even unmarried girls can observe the fast to get a good spouse. On this occasion, women gather together and engage in activities like singing and dancing. They also celebrate the arrival of the monsoon.

The festival occurs in Bhadra month’s Shukla Paksha Tritiya.HartalikaTeej 2023 is on 18 September.

The festival celebrates the marriage of Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is mostly observed in north India. It has different names Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej, depending on the region.

Rules for Hartalika Teej

•  During the Hartalika teej vrat, one should not consume grains and water. The day after the fast, you can have water.
•  Once you observe the Hartalika Teej Vrat, it cannot be undone. One should do it as per the correct rites and procedures.
•  Unmarried girls and married ladies can observe the Hartalika Teej Vrat. They stay up late to celebrate and sing religious songs. According to the scriptures, widows can observe the Vrat, too.
• The vrat is for three days during the month of Bhadrapada. Both married and single women offer prayers to Teej Mata, who is a manifestation of Goddess Parvati. Girls offer prayers to gain a good husband like Shiva. 

On the three days, women honor the Goddess. Those who fast on the festival day may have their wishes granted by Shiva. In the states of Jharkand, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, the festival is observed with great zeal. The belief is that Goddess Parvati was the first to observe this vrat as she desired to marry Shiva. Women who take part in Hartalika Teej Vrat can be blessed with marital love and happiness.

The Hartalika Teej vrat is ideal for women who are facing delays and issues in their marriage. It can help them find a good partner quickly and also resolve marital problems.

Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha

The Hartalika Teej festival celebrates the union of Shiva and Parvati. After his wife, Sati, died, Shiva went into deep meditation. Meanwhile, Sati was reborn as Parvati, the daughter of the king of mountains, Himavat. Parvati was determined to marry Shiva, who had become an ascetic. She performed severe austerities to fulfill her desire. She practiced strict abstinence along the banks of the Ganges. Her father was dejected to see her in such a state. One day, on behalf of Vishnu, Sage Narada arrived with a marriage proposal. Parvati’s father accepted the proposal.

However, Goddess Parvati told a female friend that she wanted to marry Shiva. To avoid the marriage to Vishnu, she fled to the jungle on the advice of her friend.

In the forest, she made a Shivalinga out of sand in Hasta Nakshatra on the third day of Shukla Paksha in Bhadrapada month. Then she began to worship Shiva. Her penance went on for many years. On seeing Parvati’s strict austerities, Shiva was impressed, and he appeared before her and proposed marriage. A delighted Parvati rushed back home and declared her wish to marry Shiva to her parents. The marriage was duly performed in the presence of all the Gods and Goddesses.

Since then, both married and unmarried women have been observing the Hartalika Teej Vrat. While single women hope to find a good husband, married women observe the vrat to ensure a long life for their spouses. By worshipping Shiva and Parvati on this day, devotees also seek their blessings for happiness and prosperity.

Hartalika Teej Vrat and Pooja Vidhi

Early morning is the best time for Hartalika Teej 2023 Pooja. Women arise early and take a holy bath to purify themselves. They wear new clothes, usually traditional attire like saris, and adorn themselves with jewelry.

Maharashtrian women also apply mehendi on their hands. They wear green clothes, green bangles, golden bindis, and kajal. They observe a Nirjala fast and visit temples to worship Shiva and Parvati. The latter is also known as Teej Mata. On returning home, they touch their spouses’ feet.

The women dress as newlywed brides, and they also have another bath in the evening, before sunset. They make Shiva and Parvati statues with clay or sand. They worship them and make offerings of flowers, bilva leaves, incense, and diyas.

They listen to the Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha during the vrat. They end the fast the next morning and perform the necessary rituals. They also recite Mantras like Shanti Mantra and Shama Mantra.