Hartalika Teej 2017

The date for Hartalika teej 2017 is August 24. This vrat is an important festival celebrated across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. It is observed in honour of Goddess Parvati on the third day of the first fortnight in the month of Bhadra. It is a three day festival that is celebrated lavishly by both married and unmarried women. Women start preparing for the festival many days before and organise different kind of events during teej.

The legend behind Hartalika Teej Vrat

It is believed that after the death of Sati, Lord Shiva went aloof and started disregarding everyone including his wife - Goddess Parvati. Seeing this, Parvati started observing a fast for several years eating only grass and fruits in order to attract Shiva’s attention. Ultimately, Parvati’s devotion bore fruits and Lord Shiva was pleased by her love and affection. Over the years, married women have been celebrating this festival for achieving health and happiness for their husbands, while unmarried women keep the fast to get a loving husband. Likewise, any woman who observes vrat for Hartalika teej gets immense blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This fast is extremely pious and the observer gets blessings directly from the Almighty.

Observing Hartalika Teej Vrat

In this festival, women do severe fasting without eating and drinking anything, not even water. On this day, a Pandal is set up inside the house and an idol of Goddess Parvati is dressed in new clothes and placed in the pandal. Along with it, a Shivling made of clay is also placed inside the Pandal. Women apply Henna on their hands and feet as a part of this ritual. They also dress up in new green coloured clothes, new jewellery, wear green bangles and put a golden coloured Bindi.

Women read out stories of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva on this occasion, and they also sing festive songs and dance amongst themselves. The Gods are offered fruits, vegetables and some special preparations such as rice patolis and sweets. Some women also hang decorated swings from trees and sit on them singing Teej and Saawan songs.

Husbands, also take full part in this festival as they bring presents for their wives and help them in preparations.

Teej celebrations are not only about women and celebrations inside the house. The festival is celebrated across the city as processions are taken out with colourfully decked idols of Goddess Parvati. A lot of singers and dancers follow the procession and show their skills. It is a colourful and beautiful festival that brings people from various walks of life together as they dance and celebrate the festival along with performers.