Hartalika Teej

The Hartalika Teej is the most important of all the three Teej festivals observed by Hindu women. It is celebrated on the Tritiya (3rd day) of the Skukla Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the Hindu month of Bhadrapud. The festival of Hartalika Teej is observed by married women in the honour of Goddess Parvati and involves strict fast for three continuous days. The word Hartalika is made by joining the words ‘harat’ meaning abduction and ‘Aalika’ implying female friend. According to the Hindu mythology, it was on this day only that the incarnation of Goddess Parvati was abducted by her friends to stop her marriage to Lord Vishnu, against her wishes. Ultimately she was later married to Lord Shiva.

Being a significant festival for Hindus, Hartalika Teej is observed in most parts of the country with equal enthusiasm. But in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Bihar the celebrations are even more grandeur. The festivities can also be witnessed in some parts of Madhya Pradesh. In the state of Rajasthan there is a huge procession carrying an idol of Goddess Parvati, accompanied by music and singing. In the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the Hartalika Teej Vrat is celebrated as Gowri Habba. Married women on this day pray to obtain blessing of happy married life from Goddess Gowri.

Rituals of the Hartalika Teej:

The festival of Hartalika Teej celebrates the reunion of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. On this day, big processions carrying beautifully clad idols of Goddess Parvati are taken out in different parts of the country. The procession is made more pleasurable by performances from varied artists. The idol of Parvati is escorted by several camels and elephants making the teej procession more attractive. In some places, magnificent fairs are also organized on the occasion of Hartalika Teej.
Hartalika Teej is observed especially by married women with immense enthusiasm and zeal. As a part of the ritual married women on this day return to their parent’s home for celebration. On this special teej, women dress up in new clothes and striking jewelry. `Green is the preferred color for this occasion and women love to apply kajal and bindi. During this time, every women desires to look her very best.
In the midst of all these celebrations, married women observe a strict fast for a period of three days for the welfare and long life of their husbands. They spend the days without eating and having even a single drop of water. On the day of Hartalika Teej, the observer of the vrat gets up early and takes a dip in the holy waters. Following this they visit the mandir and touch their husband’s feet on returning home. Just before sunset, women again take a bath and get dressed up as newlyweds. The main worshipping ritual begins in the afternoon. The idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped with flowers, Bilwa leaves and incense sticks. Mantras are recited all throughout and the puja is ended by telling the Hartalika Teej vrat katha. While listening to the katha, one must only think about their soul mate. The fast is only broken next morning after finishing all the worshipping rituals.
Various sweets and other delicacies are prepared at home to offer to Goddess Parvati. Fresh fruits and green vegetables are offered to the deity. As a ritual, women distribute beautiful painted coconuts to other female friends and relatives. After completing all the rituals, the women of the household feast together on jaggery and rice patolis on the banana leaves along with mixed vegetables cooked in coconut milk and other spices. A special sweet made from rice and coconut milk is also prepared. Women also drink tender coconut water.