In the literal sense the word “teej” refers to “three”. Teej falls on the third day after a full and a new moon night. The important days of Teej are- Haryali, Kajari and Hartalika. Hartalika Teej is celebrated in the Northern part of India mainly in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. The third day of the first fortnight of the month of Bhadra, which is the period of August-September as per the Hindu calendar is celebrated as the Hartalika Teej. It is mostly celebrated a day before the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Hartalika Teej celebrates the reunion of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. According to legend, Parvati performed severe penance and underwent several rebirths to win Shiva as her husband. Impressed by her devotion, Shiva finally accepted her as his consort on this day. Women observe a strict fast, often refraining from even water, to seek marital bliss and the well-being of their husbands. The fast is rigorous and is considered one of the toughest of all Hindu fasts.
Hartalika Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by married women in parts of North India, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. It falls on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Bhadrapada (August-September). The festival is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva. Women observe fasts, perform rituals, and pray for marital bliss and the well-being of their husbands. It's a significant cultural and religious event marked by colorful celebrations and traditional customs.
Significance of Hartalika Teej
Hartalika Teej holds several significances:
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Celebration of Marriage: It primarily celebrates the divine union of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. Women pray for marital harmony and conjugal bliss, seeking blessings for their husband's long life.
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Renewal of Bond: Married women observe fasts and perform rituals to strengthen their marital bond. It is believed that observing this fast with devotion fulfills desires and removes obstacles.
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Cultural and Social Importance: Beyond its religious significance, Hartalika Teej is a cultural event where women dress in traditional attire, sing folk songs, and participate in processions and community gatherings.
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Seasonal Celebration: Occurring during the monsoon season, the festival marks a time of renewal and fertility, often associated with agricultural prosperity.
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Spiritual Purification: Observing rituals and fasting is also seen as a means to purify the soul and seek divine blessings for personal and family well-being.
- Rituals:
- Puja Preparation: Women create clay idols of Parvati and Shiva, which are adorned and worshipped.
- Shringar: Married women dress up in their best attire, usually wearing green sarees or suits, and adorn themselves with jewelry. They apply mehendi (henna) on their hands and often receive gifts from their in-laws, known as ‘Sindhara’.
- Procession and Songs: Communities organize processions, and women come together to sing traditional Teej songs and dance.
- Puja Items: The puja includes offerings of fruits, flowers, and special sweets. Special thalis (plates) are prepared with items such as sindoor (vermilion), bangles, and red dupattas, symbolizing marital status
Legend behind Hartalika Teej
As per legend, this day is in celebration of the union ceremony of Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati. While she was in deep love with him, he was unaware of her existence. She fasted and worshipped for several years rigorously in the Himalayas to impress him. Her efforts were noticed and her devotion was appreciated. Shiva realized the extent of her love and married her. It is believed that the goddess took a hundred and eight births only to reunite with Shiva.Hence on this day, an idol of the goddess is clad in bright, beautiful colours and a procession is carried out which includes the idol sitting in a palanquin. Some devotees also worship the idol of Lord Shiva. The idols are usually made out of a combination of sand and clay. In some states like Rajasthan, this procession includes animals like elephants and camels.
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati, the daughter of King Himalaya, had a deep desire to marry Lord Shiva. To win his heart, she performed rigorous penance and austerities. Despite her father's wish for her to marry Lord Vishnu, Parvati remained steadfast in her devotion to Shiva.
To protect Parvati's wishes and ensure she could continue her penance, her friends took her away to a dense forest. This act of "harit" (abduction) by her friends to the "aalika" (forest) led to the name Hartalika. Parvati continued her penance in the forest without food or water, demonstrating her unwavering dedication.
The legend behind Hartalika Teej revolves around the story of Goddess Parvati and her determination to marry Lord Shiva against her father's wishes. Here's the narrative:
Impressed by Parvati's devotion and determination, Lord Shiva appeared before her and accepted her as his consort. This event is believed to have occurred on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Bhadrapada, which is now celebrated as Hartalika Teej. The festival commemorates Parvati's perseverance and the divine union with Shiva. Women observe strict fasts, perform prayers, and engage in rituals to seek blessings for marital bliss and the well-being of their husbands.The name "Hartalika" is derived from "Harit" (meaning abduction) and "Aalika" (meaning female friend), symbolizing the abduction of Goddess Parvati by her female friends to help her fulfill her wish to marry Lord Shiva.
Thus, Hartalika Teej is not only a celebration of marital bliss and devotion but also honors the determination and friendship depicted in the mythological story of Goddess Parvati. This practice marks the conclusion of this sacred occasion, which is practiced wholeheartedly in India.
हरतालिका तीज की व्रत कथा और पूजा विधी के बारे में हिंदी में पढ़ें, क्लिक करें