The lively festival of Hartalika Teej is almost here! Celebrated on the third day of the Bhadrapada month per the Hindu calendar, this much-awaited event falls on 18th September 2023.
Hartalika Teej is named after the legend associated with it. The word "Hartalika" is a combination of the words "harat" and "aalika", which mean "abduction" and "female friend" respectively. According to the legend, Goddess Parvati's friend abducted her and took her to the forest to prevent her father from marrying her to Lord Vishnu against her wishes.
Hartalika Teej is an important Hindu festival cherished especially by women across India. The day honors Parvati’s devotion to Lord Shiva and is considered highly auspicious for married women.
The festivities center around fasting, prayer rituals, dressing up in finery, and getting together with loved ones. Women wake up before dawn, bathe, dress in vibrant clothes, and apply mehndi on their hands. Many also visit temples to offer prayers to Parvati and Shiva. The fast continues through the day until the moon rises in the evening.
The essence of Hartalika Teej is celebrating family ties, honoring the divine couple, and seeking their blessings. It's a chance for married women to pray for marital happiness and the well-being of their families. The festive atmosphere, rituals, and shared experience make it a much-awaited occasion.
Here are some dos and don'ts to observe on this special day:
- Do's:
- Fast from sunrise to moonrise
- Dress up in traditional finery
- Apply mehndi on hands and feet
- Sand idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati should be made and worshipped during the Puja. The story of Hartalika should also be narrated.
- Celebrate with family and friends
- Don'ts:
- Eat or drink during the fast
- Pick fights or arguments
- Wear black or dull colors
- Cut hair or nails
- Miss out on the festive spirit!
Hartalika Teej Puja Muhurat
This year, Hartalika Teej is on Monday, September 18, 2023.
- Puja Muhurat - 05:49 AM to 08:16 AM
- Pradosh Kaal Muhurat - 06:24 PM to 06:47 PM
- Prepare some henna paste ahead of time for applying mehndi.
- Get your bangles and festive outfit ready too.
- Eat a nourishing meal before dawn to keep your energy up.
- Fruits and nuts are great fast-friendly options.
- Avoid strenuous activities and arguments.
- Keep the mood light and positive.
- Go easy on your stomach after a day of fasting.
- Most importantly, take time to pray, reflect on your blessings, and enjoy the sisterhood of this community celebration.
Teej festivals are celebrated with great pomp and circumstance by women in the Northern Indian states, particularly Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Three of the most famous Teej festivals are celebrated during the Sawan and Bhadrapada months are:
- Hariyali Teej
- Kajari Teej
- Hartalika Teej