Hartalika Teej Puja 2021

Hartalika Teej Vrat is observed during Shukla Paksha Tritiya of Bhadrapada month. On this day, makeshift statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are made with the sand and worshipped for marital bliss and progeny.

Haritalika is the amalgamation of two words ‘Harat’ and ‘Alika’, while Teej means the third day. Therefore, Haritalika Teej is celebrated on the third day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. The day of Haritalika Teej is popular in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra. Haritalika Teej is observed by both, married women and maidens. It is celebrated in the honor of the divine bond between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Hence, Haritalika Teej is followed as the day of reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. The rituals and traditions associated with the day of Haritalika Teej are:

1. On the day of Haritalika Teej, women get up early in the morning and take a holy bath, meant to purify their souls.
2. Concluding this, they dress up elegantly in special attires (mostly Saris) and jewelry, and visit temples on Haritalika Teej.
3. Women observe a Nirjala fast (even water is not consumed during this fast) on this day. This is also popular as Haritalika Teej Vrat.
4. After conducting rituals at a temple, women return home and touch their husbands’ feet (In India, husbands are considered to be equivalent to god for women).
5. Before sunset, bath is once again taken by women and they get dressed as newly-wed brides.
6. Then, the worshiping rituals resume. Devi Parvati and Lord Shiva idols made of sand and clay are placed at Puja Sthan (worshiping place).
7. Offerings of Bilwa leaves, flowers, incense sticks are made to the deities. This is followed by a meditative practice done in the honor of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
8. At the end, Haritalika Teej Vrat is recited by the devotees.
9. Haritalika Teej Vrat is terminated the next day morning, when a devotee completes all the worshiping rituals.

The morning time is considered good to perform Hartalika Puja. If morning Puja is not possible due to some reason then Pradosh time is also considered good to perform Shiva-Parvati Puja. Teej Puja should be done after taking early bath and getting dressed up with fine clothes. Sand made Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati should be worshipped and legend of Hartalika should be narrated during the Puja.

Hartalika Vrat is known as Gowri Habba in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and it is a significant festival to get blessing of Goddess Gowri. On the day of Gowri Habba women observe Swarna Gowri Vratha to seek blessings of Goddess Gowri for happy married life.

Teej festivity is observed with much fanfare by women in North Indian states, especially in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Three famous Teej (s) which are celebrated by women during Sawan and Bhadrapada months are –

1. Hariyali Teej

2. Kajari Teej

3. Hartalika Teej

Other Teej festivals like Akha Teej which is also known as Akshaya Tritiya and Gangaur Tritiya are not part of above three Teej(s).

Haritalika Teej is celebrated during Shukla Paksha Tritiya of Bhadrapada month. Haritalika Teej comes one month after Hariyali Teej and most of the time celebrated one day before Ganesh Chaturthi. During Haritalika Teej women worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati which are made of clay.