Hartalika Teej 2023: A Festival of Love and Devotion

Hartalika Teej According to the Hindu calendar, Hartalika Teej is celebrated on the Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Bhadrapada month. This time, Hartalika Teej will be celebrated on Monday, September 18th. It is also known as Haritalika Teej and Hartalika Teej. This festival is related to Lord Shiva, and ‘Har’ is the name of Lord Shiva; hence, Hartalika Teej is more appropriate. Women take a pledge to keep a waterless fast on this day. Mainly, this festival is about getting the desired and eligible husband, although any woman can have it. There is also a tradition of observing a fast called Hastagauri on this day to attain prosperity..

What is the auspicious time of Hartalika Teej?

This year in India Hartalika Teej will be celebrated on 18th September and tithi or timing for the vrat is mentioned below:

Why is Hartalika Teej celebrated?

One of the reasons for celebrating Hartalika Teej is Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva. It is believed that Mother Parvati first got Lord Shiva as her husband while fasting on Hartalika Teej. Following Mother Parvati, women wish to have a married life like Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati.

Importance of Hartalika Teej

In India, Teej is typically observed during the monsoon season. This festival itself is very significant. It is thought to be a celebration of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s union. According to ancient Hindu mythology, the goddess Parvati is said to have kept fasts and prayed to Lord Shiva for a hundred years to make him happy so that they could get married. It took her 108 incarnations to take on a form that Lord Shiva would accept. Happy with her commitment, Lord Shiva made the decision to grant her wish and wed her.

The celebration and worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on this day is therefore thought to bestow upon a woman marital bliss, the health of her husband and children, and harmony in her marriage. This blessed day honors Goddess Parvati and her unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva.

Literally meaning “third,” the word “Teej” refers to the third day following a full moon or new moon night. As a result, it is observed on the third day following a full moon or on the night of a new moon to mark the arrival of the monsoon.

How is Hartalkia Teej celebrated

Women who are observing the fast are prohibited from drinking water on Hartalkia Teej, but they are permitted to do so the day after they break their fast. If Hartalika Teej Vrat is observed, it must be carried out according to the correct rites and rituals and cannot be abandoned. On this auspicious day, those who are fasting stay awake all night and sing religious hymns to commemorate the occasion. Handmade idols of Lord Shiva, Ganesha, and Goddess Parvati are created from sand and black soil during Hartaika Teej. Flowers, banana leaves, and many other items are used to decorate the shrines that house Lord Shiva, Ganesha, and Goddess Parvati. Devotees begin Hartalika Teej with Shodashopachara Puja.

Where is celebrated Hartalika Teej?

For Hindu women, Hartalika Teej is a significant Teej festival that is enthusiastically observed throughout India, including in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar. In Rajasthan, a sizable procession of the goddess Parvati is performed while folk music, singing, and dancing are played. Hartalika Teej Vrat, also known as Gauri Habba, is observed by married women in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka in order to petition Goddess Gauri (Parvati) for a happy marriage.

Hartalika Teej Vrat And Puja Vidhi

Before starting the fast, one should consume healthy food items like juices, fruits, nuts, glucose, and tea. All these should be consumed before sunrise or between 2:30 am and 4 am. Sargi is also eaten during the festival of Karva Chauth and is generally sent by people to their maternal or in-laws house. Sargi is an important ritual because healthy food will keep you energetic throughout the day.

The women rise early to take a holy bath that is intended to cleanse their souls because the morning is the most auspicious time for the Hartalika Teej 2023 Puja. Women take part in the festivities by dressing in stylish traditional attire, primarily sarees, as well as by dressing up in new clothes and accessorizing.

In Maharashtra, women also dress in green, wear green bangles and golden bindis, and use kajal, in addition to applying henna (mehendi) to their hands. They visit temples to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, also known as Teej Mata, while observing the Nirjala fast. When they return from the temples, they touch the feet of their spouses.

Before dusk that evening, the women take another bath while decked out as newlywed brides. They create statues of Shiva and Parvati out of clay or sand for the Hartalika Teej 2023 puja ritual. Bilva leaves, flowers, incense, and burning diya are offered to the gods.

Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha

The vrat katha of Hartalika Teej 2023 is associated with a Hindu legend that goes as follows:

There was once a beautiful young girl named Parvati, the daughter of King Himalaya. Paravti was devoted to Lord Shiva and desired to marry him. But her father accepted the marriage proposal of Lord Vishnu for Parvati.

Himalaya was unaware of Parvati’s unconditional love and devotion towards Lord Shiva and organized her wedding with Lord Vishnu. Later, when she learned about her marriage with someone else, she discussed her issue with her friend and ran away. One of her friends advised her to disappear into the jungle. Her friend told Parvati to perform penance and meditate with Lord Shiva to fulfill her desire.

After long days of fasting and worshipping, Lord Shiva was impressed with her devotion and appeared to her. Lord Shiva accepted Parvati as his consort and accepted her marriage request. After that, Parvati returned home and told her parents about her desire to marry Lord Shiva.

In the presence of God and goddesses, their marriage was solemnized. Hence, the story of Hartalika Teej Vrat emphasizes the importance of devotion, trust, faith, and loyalty in an individual’s life.

Hartalika teej vrat enlightens the power of true friendship and the importance of female friends who help each other overcome hard situations. Women are encouraged by the tale of Parvati and Hartalika to persist in their goals and seek heavenly favor.

Fasting rules of Hartalika Teej

1. Hartalika fast is observed without water, that is, water is not consumed throughout the day and night till the next sunrise.
2. Hartalika fast is observed by unmarried girls and fortunate women. Widowed women can also observe it.
3. The rule of Hartalika fast is that once it is started, it cannot be left. It is done every year with complete rules.
4. Ratjaga is performed on the day of Hartalika fast. Women gather throughout the night to dance, sing and sing hymns. She wears new clothes and does complete makeup.
5. Wherever Hartalika fast is observed. There this puja cannot be denied, that is, it is done every year as a tradition.
6. Generally women do this Hartalika puja in the temple.

FAQs

1. What is Hartalika Teej?

• Hartalika Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated to commemorate the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is observed with fasting, prayer, and various rituals.

2. When does Hartalika Teej occur in 2023?

• Hartalika Teej in 2023 falls on September 18th.

3. Why do women fast on Hartalika Teej?

• Women observe a fast on Hartalika Teej to seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva for a happy and prosperous married life. It is also a day to pray for an ideal husband.

4. Can unmarried girls observe the Hartalika Teej fast?

• Yes, unmarried girls can observe the Hartalika Teej fast to seek a suitable life partner.

5. What are the fasting rules for Hartalika Teej?

• The fast is observed without water, meaning no water should be consumed throughout the day and night until the next sunrise. It should be observed with dedication and cannot be abandoned once started.

6. How is Hartalika Teej celebrated?

• Hartalika Teej is celebrated with women wearing traditional attire, performing special pujas, creating idols of deities, offering prayers, singing hymns, and often staying awake all night in celebration.

7. In which regions of India is Hartalika Teej celebrated with enthusiasm?

• Hartalika Teej is celebrated with enthusiasm in various states of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

8. What is the significance of the Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha?

• The Vrat Katha of Hartalika Teej tells the story of Parvati’s devotion to Lord Shiva, her marriage with him, and the importance of faith and loyalty in one’s life. It emphasizes the power of friendship and determination.

9. Are there any specific rituals associated with Hartalika Teej?

• Yes, rituals include creating clay or sand idols of deities, offering Bilva leaves, flowers, incense, and lit diyas to the gods, and performing a special puja called Shodashopachara Puja.

10. Is Hartalika Teej a public holiday in India? – No, Hartalika Teej is not a public holiday in India, but it is observed as a significant religious festival by Hindu communities.

Conclusion

In north India, Hartalika Teej 2023 is regarded as the most auspicious fast to observe for a long marriage and for unmarried girls to find a suitable partner. The idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped by vrat women on the day of Teej in order to receive divine blessings.

In an effort to maintain harmony and happiness in their marriages, women adhere to the strict guidelines of the Hartalika Teej Vat. Get together to celebrate Hartalika Teejvrat 2023 and receive Lord Shiva and Parvati’s blessings