Haritalika Teej is observed on the tritiya of waxing phase of the moon of Bhadrapada Month or on Bhadra pada sukla Tritiya. Haritalika teej is observed when there is Hasta Nakshatra (star) for the day. Haritalika teej vrat is observed by women. Both married and unmarried woman can observe the Haritalika teej vrat.

Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha

Hartalika Teej is known by this name due to the legend associated with it. Hartalika word is a combination of “Harat” and “Aalika” which means “abduction” and “female friend” respectively. According to the legend of Hartalika Teej, the friend of Goddess Parvati took her to the thick forest so that her father can’t marry her to Lord Vishnu against her wish. On the sudden disappearance of Goddess Parvati, her father thought that someone has kidnaped his daughter. Hence this day is known as Hartalika or Haritalika.

As legend goes, Goddess Parvati did severe penance in the forest to please Lord Shiva. Due to great determination of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva blessed her that her wish to marry Him would be fulfilled. As friend of Goddess Parvati helped her to get Lord Shiva as her husband, this day is also marked as the solidarity of friendship among female friends.

Hartalika Teej Puja Vidhi

Women should observe a fast on the day of Haritalika teej. Goddess Parvathi along with Lord Shiva is worshipped on Hartalika teej. Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva are to be worshipped in the morning, after noon and in the evening.

Women get up early in the morning and take a head bath. Bathing in the evening,before worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is also one of the ritual in Haritalika Teej.  During the Puja Goddess Parvati is offered with all the things that are given to married women like Kajal, mehindi, Kum Kum, Turmeric, flowers etc along with a saree. Lord Shiva is offered a Dhoti and Uttariyam. After all the above are done Haritalika Teej vrat katha is read or listened.

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.