All about the Indian festival Hartalika Teej
What is ’Hartalika Teej’?
This sacred festival is celebrated on the third day ‘Shukla Paksha’ in the Hindu month of ‘Bhadara’. It is celebrated by women all over the country to seek marital bliss by observing fast. This festival is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, who is the epitome of married women. It is among the three main ‘Teej’ festivals celebrated around the year. It is widely celebrated in the states of Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
What is the story behind celebrating ’Hartalika Teej’?
The folklore says that Goddess Parvati was in love with Lord Shiva and wanted him to marry her. Lord Shiva was an unaware ‘Yogi’. Therefore, Parvati decided to do harsh penance on the Himalayas for many years. After many years, Shiva came to know about this and decided to visit her. When he saw her true love and dedication, he decided to marry her. Since then, married women pray to Goddess in order to seek marital bliss and unmarried girls pray to her in order to get the love of their life as their husbands.
How is ‘Hartalika Teej’ celebrated?
Women buy new clothes, jewelry and accessories to be worn on that day. Applying ‘Heena’ or ‘mehendi’ is considered very sacred for this festival. Teej celebration also takes place in the city where women take part in huge processions carrying the idol of Goddess Parvati. The processions are taken on a grand scale where numerous artists perform. Swings are also hung from trees and women enjoy sitting on them and singing various songs.
What is the significance of Hartalika Teej?
There is a great significance of HartalikaTeej in which it is specified that Hartalika is the combination of two words. Hart in Hartalika refers to Kidnap and Alika refers to friend. As per Hindu Mythology and Katha of this fast, it is said that there was a proposal of marriage of Lord Vishnu to Goddess Parvati. Narad muni was the messenger at that time. He went to Parvatharaj with the message regarding marriage proposal of his daughter Devi Parvati and Lord Vishnu. Parvatharaj agreed at the proposal of Lord Vishnu as this was a divine offer for him. But Goddess Parvati was not happy with this proposal. On the day of marriage of Goddess Parvati, her friend kidnapped her and kept her in the dense forest. Her friend did this activity so that Parvatharaj could not find her to marry with Lord Vishnu. This incident is the significance behind Hartalikateej. All the Hindu women consider this day as an auspicious day. They keep fast on this for the health, wealth, well-being and prosperous life of their husband. They observe the fast of whole day and pray to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Parvati for their husband and family.
Women dress up beautifully with colorful clothes and carry jewelry on this day of Hartalika Teej. They distribute decorated coconuts among friends and family. They Offer fruits, green vegetables and sweets to Goddess Parvati while performing puja of HartalikaTeej. Activities like dancing and singing takes place in the communities. The environment of community remains joyful all over the day with these activities. Married women celebrate this day at their parent’s home.
At some places in India, fairs are also organized by the communities. People use to gather in these fairs along with their family members and enjoy feast and swings.
What are the rituals one has to follow while observing this fast?
Married women return to their parent’s house to keep this fast. Few married females do ‘Nirjala’ fast wherein they do not drink or eat anything, nor do they sleep for three days straight to symbolize the hardships that Goddess Parvati had to face to marry Lord Shiva. On the completion of the fast, food is offered to Brahmins and young girls. Females adorn themselves in ‘SolahShringaar’. Females apply ‘Heena’ on their hands and feet which is considered auspicious.
- For performing the ‘pooja’ all the women and girls observing fast gather at a nearby temple or garden, sit in semi circle and place the idol of Goddess Parvati in between.
- The ‘Pooja’ begins by offering flowers, seasonal fruits, sweets and coins to the Goddess in order to seek her blessings.
- A female priest is also called to narrate the holy story of’ HariyaliTeej’, who then narrates the story. All the women sitting their listen to it with the thought of their soul mate in their minds.
- Before the narration of the story begins, all married women have to light the mud ‘Diya’ in their respective ‘thali’. The ‘diya’ should be lit all night long. If it is put off, it is considered as a bad omen.
- Sometimes, women after completing these rituals take shower with red mud which is considered sacred and absolve women from any kind of sins they have ever committed. This is done for their purification.
- At the end, women eat rice, jiggery, steamed on banana leaves, mixed vegetable cooked with spices and coconut milk as ‘Prasad’.
- When husbands come to pick their wives from their parents place, they generally bring gifts with them.
This way the festival of ‘Hartalika Teej’ is celebrated to strengthen the bond between the married couples. This festival marks the strong bond of relation between married couples and blesses them with a happy and loving married life.
What are the Mantras that should be recited on Hartalika Teej?
There are two mantras such as Shanti Mantra and Shami Mantra that should be recited after worshipping for the succession of Hartalika Teej vrat.
Shanti Mantra
Om DyauhShaantir-AntarikssamShaantih
PrthiviiShaantir-AapahShaantir-OssadhayahShaantih .
VanaspatayahShaantir-Vishve-DevaahShaantir-Brahma Shaantih
SarvamShaantihShaantirevaShaantihSaaMaaShaantir-Edhi.
Om ShaantihShaantihShaantih.
Shama Mantra
JaganmataMaartastavCharanseva Na Rachita
Na WaDattam Devi DravinmapiBhuyastav Maya.
TathapiTwayamSnehamMayiNirupamYatprakurushe
KuputroJayetKwaChidapiKumaata Na Bhavati.