. HARTALIKA TEEJ FESTIVAL 🙏
Hartalika teej is a hindu festival observed every year on shukla paksha tritiya of hindu bhadrapada month or the third day of the first fortnight of the hindi calendar month of bhadrapada. The festivities of this festival continue for three straight days in honor of goddess parvati and lord shiva.
(A) HISTORY : The hindu festival of Hartalika teej is celebrated in honor of Parvati Ma and Lord Shiva. According to the legend of Hartalika teej, goddess Parvati fell in love with Lord Shiva. But being an ascetic lord shiva remained unaware of parvati's love for him. It is believed that goddess parvati had to take 108 births before lord shiva accepted her love for him. On the day today celebrated as Haryali teej the day of the divine union of shiva and shakti. Other terms used for this day are chhoti teej and shravan teej. Hartalika teej is observed as an important hindu festival especially among the Hindu women who observed this day by fasting and puja.
(B) FAST (VRAT) : Both married and unmarried women observed a fast on hartalika teej known as Nishivasar Nirjala Vrat'. Married women keep the fast to achieve happiness in their married life, while unmarried girls keep the fast to get blessed with a loving husband in the future life. The fasting period starts from the evening of hartalika teej and is broken the next day. Some women even maintain fast on all three days of the festival, while some refrain from sleep for straight three days - a symbolic act of worship which Parvati Ma undertook to get Shiva as her husband.
(C) PUJA CEREMONY : Hartalika teej is celebrated with great zeal and vigor in the hindu community. The preparations for the celebration start days before the festival date, during which new statues of Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati are crafted using sand and idols of goddess parvati are prepared so that they can be taken out in procession on the festival date. Green is the traditional colour worn by women on this day. Both married and unmarried women wear green outfits, green jewelry, bindis, mehndi and kajal for luck.
Fresh fruits beautifully painted coconuts, green vegetables, coins and sweets are offered to the goddess. The main item eaten on this day include rice patois and Jaggery steamed in banana leaves, sweet dishes made from coconut milk and rice. Mixed vegetables are cooked in coconut milk gravy and spices. Fresh coconut water is taken as a treat of the day. Dances and Music festivals are also a part of teej celebrations.
Hartalika teej is also a time to dress oneself in fine bright clothes and beautiful stone jewelry. May goddess Parvati spread into your life peace, prosperity, happiness, good health and fortune.
