Saturday, September 7, 2013

Hartalika Teej: Praying To Goddess Parvati

Hartalika Teej 2013 is celebrated on 8th September 2013. Hartalika Teej is a festival dedicated to Goddess Parvati to commemorate the reunion of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. This festival is mostly celebrated in North India, especially in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. 

Hartalika Teej falls on the third day of the fortnight in the Bhadrapad month as per Hindu Lunar calendar. Women pray to Goddess Parvati and keep fast on this day for the well being on their husband and to get a married life as true as the divine couple Shiva and Parvati. 

For information on other Hindu festivals coming up , click here Hindu Festivals In 2013

Goddess Parvati

There are three Teej festivals celebrated in India, Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej and Hartalika Teej, of which Hartalika Teej is the most important one. This festival is celebrated for three continuous days. Which includes, puja and fasting for Goddess Parvati, social gatherings of women for dance and cultural events, exchanging sweets and gifts and newly married brides get gifts from mother-in-law. So, for all these reason this is a very look forward to event by the women. 

Fasting on Hartalika Teej


Hartalika Puja
Women wake up early in the morning, clean the house and set up a small mantap for the Goddess Parvati along with an idol of Lord Shiva. They keep a strict fast all through the day, which includes non consumption of even water. Further, prayers and prasad is offered to the God. Songs praising the Divine couple Shiva and Parvati are sung and finally gifts are exchanged with one another after the puja is completed. Another practise is to light a oil lamp which has a very important role to play during the fasting and puja, it should be taken care that the oil lamp is lit all through the night and never goes off. It is considered to be a bad omen if it does go off. 

On this auspicious day, you can also start any new venture or perform any important functions as this would be a good day to do it. To know the right time or Muhurat for the event you can check our Free Service, just click here Shubh Muhurat

Now that we know when and how Hartalika Teej is celebrated, lets know the legend associated with this festival. 

Legend Behind Hartalika Teej


Legend has it that, Goddess Parvati was in deep love with Lord Shiva, but Shiva never took notice of her as he was beyond all these worldly pleasures. To make Lord Shiva take notice of her and fall in love with her, Goddess Parvati went into deep tapas (meditation) in Himalayas. Finally after many years of tough praying Goddess Parvati’s wishes were answered and Lord shiva took her and married her. Since that day women have been praying Goddess Parvati Mata and to get a blessed with a life like the divine couple. 

With this, we wish everyone a very Happy Teej Festival !

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