Hartalika Teej

Hartalika Teej

Celebrated by women mostly in North India, especially in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, Hartalika Teej is a significant Hindu festival. The festival takes place on the Tritiya day (third day) during the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the Hindu month Bhadrapada usually occurs in August or September.

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Hartalika Teej on Friday, September 6, 2024

• Hartalika Puja Muhurat - 06:02 AM to 08:33 AM
• Duration - 02 Hours 31 Mins
• Tritiya Tithi Begins - 12:21 PM on Sep 05, 2024
• Tritiya Tithi Ends - 03:01 PM on Sep 06, 2024

Hartalika Teej

Which state celebrates the Teej festival

Teej festival is one of the most popular festivals celebrated across many states in India including the northern and western frontiers where the main states that observe Teej consist of:

• Rajasthan: This state is known for being among the most significant places that celebrate the Teej festival within its territory as it does with most others. The celebrations here are very elaborate with women dressing up in traditional clothing, participating in processions, and swaying back and forth on beautifully decorated swings.
• Uttar Pradesh: Teej is celebrated according to different traditions or customs in this region alongside fasting by women praying for their husbands’ long life span.
• Bihar: A very important occasion for ladies in Bihar characterized by singing, dancing, and other customs that go hand in hand with the festival during this time.
• Madhya Pradesh: A large number of people partake in festivals across Madhya Pradesh with females engaging in prayer, starvation, and cultural activities.
• Haryana: It is also true that Teej holds much significance for Haryana where colorfully organized fairs, dynamic dances, and swings mark its observance.
• Punjab: Also known as Teeyan within Punjab, it is remembered by women through traditional folk dances like Gidda besides songs as well as multi-colored attires among other things related to her support.
• Jharkhand: Women praying for their husbands’ safety as well as families participating in rituals can be seen enjoying the Teej festival also taking place here.

Various regions have slight variations in the customs and rituals associated with Teej festivals, including Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej. However, the essence of the festival which is that of celebrating femininity, happiness in marriage as well as dedication remains the same in all these states.

Specific cuisine Hartalika Teej

• Hindu ladies mark Hartalika Teej with a fasting-spree festival that represents veneration for their husbands' and families’ welfare. In between these periods, some specific types of foods are usually prepared especially after breaking fasts. These dishes are often traditional, symbolic, and indicative of cultural practices in the respective regions where Hartalika Teej is celebrated. Below are examples of Hartalika Teej-related special foods:
• Ghevar
• Kheer
• Puris and Sabzi
• Thekua
• Fruits and Sweets
• Sattu Paratha
• Panchamrit

Story and Legend:

• The festival is derived from the legend of Goddess Parvati and her husband, Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, the goddess was so determined to marry Lord Shiva that she went through a great deal of penance. Her devotion moved him and he accepted her as his wife. Hartalika comes from Harat which means abduction and Aalika which means friend. Parvati had to be abducted by one of her friends so that she could avoid getting married to someone else or live in seclusion till the time she married Shiva.

Rituals and Observance:

• On this day, women fast (Nirjala Vrat) strictly without taking even a single drop of water. On this pooja day, they pray to and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The fast is for their husbands’ well-being, so they can live in harmony with their spouses. Single women also keep these vrats to find husbands who are good human beings.

Worship Ceremonies:

• For puja, females make mud idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and beautifully adorn them. They present fruits, flowers, and sweets to the Gods while reciting aarti. The puja activity is typically carried out in groups; songs and stories about Shiva and Parvati are recited by all members.

Importance:

• Hartalika Teej signifies love between a husband and wife who dedicate themselves to one another regardless of the circumstances that may arise. This occasion represents their fidelity, strength, and purity not forgetting the role of prayers.

Cultural Activities:

• Women also wear lovely traditional costumes for this festival. Hands have been painted with henna during the festivities while folk music is played accompanied by dance steps which are characteristic of various communities. However, it is more about female solidarity than anything else at this moment.

It is a day for married women to reaffirm their love and devotion towards their husbands on Hartalika Teej which has a great deal of cultural and religious value.

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Frequently Ask Questions

What is Hartalika Teej?

Hartalika Teej is a Hindu festival, widely observed by women, especially in Northern India. The festival celebrates the union of Lord Shiva and his wife Goddess Parvati, and it is celebrated by women who observe a day-long fast for the well-being and long life of their husbands. It takes place on the third day of a bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September).

Why do women fast on Hartalika Teej?

Women fast on Hartalika Teej to pray for happy and prosperous marital lives. It is widely believed that Goddess Parvati observed a strict fast to capture Lord Shiva’s heart hence after her, women always honor this through fasting for the sake of having a blissful married life as well as the wellbeing of their families.

How is Hartalika Teej celebrated?

Women dress up in traditional costumes, sometimes green sarees or suits put henna on their hands (Mehandi), and perform rites connected to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The fast practice is called nirjala (without water). After this, women listen to the Hartalika Teej Katha (the tale) before breaking their fast.

What are the special foods prepared for Hartalika Teej?

Ghevar, kheer, puris with sabzi, and thekua among others are some of the commonest traditional foods consumed by ladies once they break their fast. The majority of these dishes are used during the celebration season as well as in family gatherings.

In which states is Hartalika Teej predominantly celebrated?

Mainly Hartalika Teej tends to be celebrated in five states namely; Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh. Though some different rituals and customs vary according to regions in India, it is also observed in other parts of this country.