Festivals
Date
Hartalika Teej
About
Hartalika Teej is one of the most significant festivals for Hindu women, celebrated on the third day of the Shukla Paksha in Bhadrapada. It commemorates the day Goddess Parvati was accepted by Lord Shiva after her intense penance.
Significance:
The name 'Hartalika' comes from 'Harat' (abduction) and 'Alika' (female friend), referring to the legend where Parvati's friends took her to a thick forest so she could perform penance away from her father's pressure to marry Lord Vishnu. It symbolizes the power of determination and true love.
Rituals & Puja Vidhi:
1. Nirjala Vrat: Many women observe a 'Nirjala' fast (without water) for 24 hours. 2. Clay Idols: Devotees make temporary idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati out of sand or clay. 3. Night Vigil: The night is spent in 'Jagran', singing bhajans and reciting the Hartalika Vrat Katha. 4. Shringaar: Women dress in traditional finery, applying henna and wearing green or red sarees.