India is known as the land of festivals due to its vast diversity, interesting culture, and different traditions. Interestingly, it is the only country in the world where almost every day a festival is celebrated.
Some of these festivals and traditions have lasted for generations and continue to exist even during present times. One of these festivals is Teej, which is widely celebrated in three forms- Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej.
Hartalika Teej is celebrated in different ways in different states of the country. It is the most popular festival in North Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand.
On the other hand, in the Southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, it is celebrated as Gauri Habba or Swarna Gauri Vrat.
Hartalika Teej 2023 Date & Time
Hartalika Teej is celebrated in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada on the Tritiya or the 3rd day of the Shukla Paksha (waning phase of the full moon). It is celebrated for 3 days by women whether she is married or unmarried.
Hartalika Teej 2023 falls on September 18, with the auspicious time in the morning spanning from 6:07 am to 8:34 am
Hartalika Teej History
The word Hartalika is made of joining two words “harat” which means abduction and “Aalika” which means female friend. As per Hindu mythology, the incarnation of goddess Parvati as Shailputri was abducted by her female friends to stop her marriage to Lord Vishnu, which was fixed by her father Himalayaraj against her will.
Goddess Parvati was in love with Lord Shiva and wanted to marry him only. She fasted, worshipped, and performed server austerities throughout 108 lifetimes to finally come to be accepted as the consort of Lord Shiva and marry her on the day of Hartalika Teej. Hence, this divine occasion is celebrated as the mark of the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Hartalika Teej Rituals and Significance
On this day, the devotees of the Hindu community wake up early in the early hours and begin preparation for Pooja. Women get fully decked up and wear either green or red-colored attires, apply mehndi, and wear a bindi, to complete the look of a bride.
The Puja place at home should have the clay idols of Shiva and Parvati on top of a Banana leaf which is then kept on a plate. Bilva leaves, Dhatura, flowers, fruits, and panchamrita are offered to Lord Shiva while the Honey is offered to Goddess Parvati.
Devotees follow Jagran the entire night which means staying awake the whole night and singing devotional songs. The next day, the normal routine is resumed by breaking the fast, and with the completion of all rituals at the end of the celebration, women get blessings from their husbands before consuming prasad.
