In 2024, Hartalika Teej will be celebrated on Friday, September 6. The festival is observed annually on the Tritiya Tithi (third day) of Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) in the Bhadrapada month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. This particular date is significant as it commemorates the day when Goddess Parvati’s immense devotion and years of penance were fulfilled with her union with Lord Shiva.
Hartalika Teej 2024 Tithi and Muhurat
Tritiya Tithi Begins - September 05, 2024 at 12:21 PM
Tritiya Tithi Ends - September 06, 2024 at 03:01 PM
While the muhurat can vary slightly depending on geographical location, the most favorable time to perform the Hartalika Teej Puja is often during the Pradosh Kaal, the time just after sunset. It is recommended to consult a local priest or Hindu Panchang for precise muhurat based on your area.
Significance of Hartalika Teej
Hartalika Teej is highly significant for Hindu women, symbolizing devotion, marital happiness, and love. The festival is primarily celebrated by married women, who observe a strict fast to pray for the long life and prosperity of their husbands, while unmarried women observe it to seek a virtuous husband like Lord Shiva. The fast, known as Nirjala Vrat, involves abstaining from both food and water, showing immense devotion and faith.
This festival is a celebration of Goddess Parvati’s persistence and devotion towards Lord Shiva, emphasizing the importance of love, determination, and loyalty in marriage. Women across India participate in this festival with prayers, rituals, and traditional festivities, seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for a blissful and fulfilling married life.
The History of Hartalika Teej
The story behind Hartalika Teej comes from the Shiva Purana. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati’s father, Himalaya, wanted to marry her off to Lord Vishnu, despite her deep love and devotion for Lord Shiva. Parvati had been meditating and fasting for years to win the love of Shiva, and to prevent her father from forcibly marrying her to Lord Vishnu, one of Parvati’s friends took her into the forest to hide.
During her time in the forest, Parvati continued her unwavering penance. Her devotion and austerities eventually pleased Lord Shiva, and he agreed to marry her. The festival of Hartalika Teej commemorates this union and Parvati’s deep devotion, which ultimately led to her marriage with Lord Shiva. Thus, it serves as an inspiring tale of love and determination, especially for women seeking blessings for a prosperous married life.
Hartalika Teej Rituals and Puja Vidhi
The rituals performed on Hartalika Teej are rich with symbolic meaning, celebrating Goddess Parvati’s devotion and commitment. Women wake up early in the morning, take a holy bath, and wear sarees or traditional attire. They gather the required items for the Hartalika Teej Puja, which includes idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, fruits, flowers, sweets, and green bangles.
Here is a brief outline of the puja vidhi:
Purification and Preparation: Women clean their homes and prepare the puja altar with idols or images of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Invoking the Deities: The puja starts with prayers to Lord Ganesha to remove any obstacles. Devotees then worship Lord Shiva and Parvati, offering them bel leaves, flowers, fruits, and sweets.
Hartalika Katha: The story of Parvati’s devotion and her eventual union with Lord Shiva, known as the Hartalika Katha, is recited as part of the puja.
Nirjala Vrat: The fast is observed with utmost sincerity, where women abstain from food and water for 24 hours. It is broken only after performing prayers the next day.
Aarti and Mantras: Women chant mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and perform aarti as part of the concluding rituals.
By following these rituals, women seek the blessings of divine love and prosperity for themselves and their families.
Places Where Hartalika Teej Is Celebrated
Hartalika Teej is celebrated with grandeur, especially in the northern and western parts of India. The festival is particularly significant in states such as:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Rajasthan
- Madhya Pradesh
Each region has its own unique traditions. In Rajasthan, for example, women don elaborate traditional attire and perform the ghoomar dance in temples. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, women visit Lord Shiva temples to offer prayers, and many regions host processions and community gatherings to celebrate this day. Temporary clay idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are often created and worshipped, especially in rural areas.
Temples such as Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, and Somnath Temple in Gujarat see a large influx of devotees during this time, with women coming together to participate in the collective rituals and prayers.
Who Began the Hartalika Teej Tradition?
The origins of Hartalika Teej are rooted in ancient mythology, as described in the Shiva Purana. Goddess Parvati herself is believed to have begun the tradition when she undertook severe penance to win Lord Shiva’s love. Her unwavering devotion, even in the face of her father’s wishes, is the reason for the festival’s deep-rooted significance.
It is believed that Parvati’s friend played a pivotal role by helping her escape to the forest, where she could continue her penance without interference. This act of friendship and solidarity has since inspired the rituals observed during Hartalika Teej, which emphasize devotion, perseverance, and the sacred bond between husband and wife.
Conclusion
Hartalika Teej is more than just a festival; it is a symbol of devotion, love, and faith, celebrated by women seeking happiness and prosperity in their married lives. By following the rituals and observing the Nirjala Vrat, devotees honor the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, drawing inspiration from their divine love story.
