Hartalika Teej Vrat is commemorated on the third day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha Tritiya) in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. On this sacred occasion, devotees craft idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati from sand and engage in their worship, invoking blessings for marital harmony and offspring. The name ‘Hartalika Teej’ finds its origin in a legendary narrative connected to this festival. ‘Hartalika’ is a fusion of ‘Harat’ (abduction) and ‘Aalika’ (female friend). According to the tale, a dear friend of Goddess Parvati spirited her away to a dense forest to prevent her father from marrying her off to Lord Vishnu against her will.
HARTALIKA TEEJ 2023: DATE AND TIME
According to Drigpanchang, Hartalika Teej falls on Monday, September 18, 2023. The auspicious time for the morning Hartalika Puja ritual begins at 06:07 AM and concludes at 08:34 AM, spanning a duration of 2 hours and 27 minutes. The Tritiya Tithi (third lunar day) commences at 11:08 AM on September 17, 2023, and concludes at 12:39 PM on September 18, 2023.
HARTALIKA TEEJ 2023: SHUBH MUHURAT
The optimal time for conducting the Teej Puja is in the morning. However, if a morning Puja is not feasible, the Pradosh period is also considered suitable for performing the Shiva-Parvati Puja. Devotees should commence by taking an early bath and adorning themselves in fine attire before embarking on the Puja. They offer prayers to the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati while narrating the legend of Hartalika during the ceremony.
HARTALIKA TEEJ 2023: RULES TO FOLLOW
Hartalika Teej is renowned for its stringent fasting tradition, entailing abstaining from both food and water. Even the consumption of fruits is prohibited during this rigorous fast, which lasts for approximately 24 hours without water. It is considered one of the most challenging and demanding fasts.
On the day of Hartalika Teej fasting, it is advisable to rise during the Brahma Muhurta. Commence your day with a meal called sargi, consisting of sweets, fruits, dry fruits, and other food items. You may also have water and tea during this time. It’s important to consume sargi before sunrise.
Hartalika Teej worship centers on the adoration of Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva. Traditionally, these idols are installed in the afternoon, and the puja commences in the evening during the Pradosh period at sunset. Alongside Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, the primary deity, is also honored during the ceremony.
During the Hartalika Teej worship, devotees attire themselves in new garments. This fast is undertaken to seek marital happiness and enduring prosperity, with offerings of sixteen adornment items made to Goddess Parvati. Yellow vermilion is applied to both the deity and the devotees during the puja.
Listening to the story of Hartalika Teej fasting is pivotal as it imparts insight into its significance and underscores the virtues associated with observing this fast.
Post the puja, it is customary to seek the blessings of one’s mother-in-law and elder sister-in-law by touching their feet. Unmarried women fasting on this day typically bow to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, entreating blessings for an ideal life partner.