Pic HartTeej01 Pooja ki thali
Hartalika (हरतालिका) Teej
(30.08.2022)
-Rohit Kumar Parmar
Hartalika (हरतालिका) Teej is celebrated on Tritiya Tithi (third day) of Shukla Paksha (waxing or bright phase of the moon) of the Lunar month of Bhadrapada, corresponding to August/September of the Gregorian Calendar.
Hartalika Teej is one of the three famous and special Teej [1] celebrated by women during Shravana/Bhadrapada months and is also the last. Shravana/Bhadrapada months coincide with Varsha Ritu (वर्षा ऋतु) or monsoon, making them special. Hartalika Teej falls a month after the celebration of Hariyali Teej and mostly a day before Ganesh Chaturthi.
Hartalika is a combination of Sanskrit words Harit (हरित) and Aalika (आलिका) which means "abduction" and (by a) "female friend", respectively.
According to the legend, Goddess Parvati performed penance on the banks of river Ganga, in order to get Lord Shiva as her husband. However, Lord Shiva being an ascetic, did not know about her.
Parvati’s father (Himalaya), was concerned on seeing her condition. So, on the suggestion of Rishi Narad, he promised her hand in marriage to Lord Vishnu. Goddess Parvati told her friend about this, who abducted her, to save her from the promised marriage.
Goddess Parvati was taken to a dense forest where she performed penance and immersed herself in worship of Lord Shiva. Parvati made a Shivalinga from sand and silt of Ganga and prayed.
Pic HartTeej02 Goddess Parvati praying to a Shivalinga
Lord Shiva took notice of her devotion and appeared before her in his divine form and agreed to marry her. From that moment onwards, Goddess Parvati has been worshipped as Hartalika and Hartalika Teej is observed in memory of her devotion and penance.
While women celebrate Haryali Teej and Kajari Teej by visiting their parent’s house. They, however, come back to their sasural (in-laws) to celebrate Hartalika Teej.
Women observe upvasa/vrat (fast) without eating or drinking even a drop of water (निर्जला). Like in several other festivals for married women, unmarried girls also observe upvasa/vrat (fast) for finding a life partner of their choice, by seeking blessings of Gods/Goddesses.
Women wear new red/green coloured saree or traditional dress, and do सोला श्रृंगार (sixteen makeup/adornment action/steps), which include
बिंदी (Bindi, a dot/small circle/other shapes, in the middle of the forehead in the space between the eyebrows)
सिंदूर (Sindoor, a red coloured powder on the maang, parting of the hair)
मांग टिकका(Maang tikka, a pendant/jewellery resting on a women’s forehead, hanging on a chain over her head)
काजल (Kajal, a Black line on the eyelash as a makeup, also believed to protect from evil eye/spirits. Kajal, a natural preparation, helps keep the eyes cool and prevents it from infection)
कर्ण फूल (Karn Phool, Earrings like chandbalis, jhumkas, hoops or studs)
मेहंदी (Mehendi, a paste prepared from the leaves of ‘Mendhika’ plant, and applied in attractive design/art forms, on hands and feet, overnight/few hours. It serves as a herbal cum medical dye giving a red colour.
नथ (Nath Nose ring)
बाजुबंध (Bajubandh, Armband worn across upper arm)
चूड़ियाँ (Churiyan, Banglesof glass, precious metals)
हाथफूल (Hathphool, Hand chain which connects the fingers and wrists)
हार (Haar, Necklace)
कमरबंध (Kamarbandh, Waistband)
पायल (Payal, Anklet)
बिछिया (Bichhiya, toe ring, usually worn on the second toe and made of silver)
इत्र (Attar, natural perfume made from flowers)
गजरा (Gajra, fresh flowers jasmine/marigold weaved as a string, tied on the hair)
On Hartalika Teej gifts called Shrinjhara or Sindhare, include bangles, sindoor, traditional laheria dress, henna and sweets like ghewar.
Women pray to Parvati and Shiva, remembering their wedding and staying up all night listening to prayers, bhajans, kirtans and kathas. The Puja begins with holy offerings of flowers, fruits and sweets, and ladies listening to the Teej Katha together. Women gather at a nearby temple or garden for puja. They form a semi-circle with an idol of Goddess Parvati in the middle. Once the Puja is over, women make offerings to Goddess Parvati and seek her blessings. Women also light a mud diya all night.
The states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra celebrate Hartalika Teej.
In Rajasthan, an idol of Parvati is taken out in a procession chanting and singing.
In Maharashtra it is also known as Hartalika tritiya vrat, and women make idols with clay or river sand.
Hartalika Teej festival is celebrated as Gowri Habba in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Haritalika Teej is also celebrated by women in Nepal.
[1] A festival with Teej suffix suggests that it falls on the third day of the lunar month (either waxing or waning part)
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