Teej is a celebration of the monsoon also known as Shavan or Shravan in Hindi. There are mainly three Teej festivals celebrated by both married and unmarried Hindu women across India-Hariyali, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej.
This year Hartalika Teej will be celebrated on August 21 (Friday). On this day, women dress up, decorate their hands with henna and also observe a fast.
The festival of Hartalika Teej is observed by both married and unmarried women in the honour of Goddess Parvati. This Teej is celebrated by women especially in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattishgarh, and Maharashtra.
Hartalika Teej 2020 Puja Muhurat:
According to drikpanchang.com, the puja muhurat is from 5.54 am to 8.30 am and Pradosh kala timing is from 6.54 pm to 09.06 pm on August 21. While morning is a good time to perform the puja, if not possible, one can perform the puja in the pradosha kaal also.
Significance of Hartalika Teej:
Hartalika is a combination of two Sanskrit words Harat(kidnap) + Aalika (female friend). It refers to the event that took place before Mata Parvati got married to Lord Shiva. According to a legend associated with this Teej, Mata Parvati’s father had chosen Lord Vishnu for her, but since she wanted to get married to Lord Shiva, she sought help from one of her friends. Mata Parvati’s friend “abducted” her and took her to a thick forest where she could hide. The word ‘abduction’ shouldn’t be misinterpreted. In this context, it is a gesture of lending help to a friend who wished to marry the man of her choice.
Hartalika Teej Vrat fasting rules for unmarried women:
- Rise early and take a bath.
- Wear fresh and clean clothes.
- Then do Sankalpa by taking the names of Mahadev and Mata Parvati. Sankalpa means vow. One must vow to themselves that they shall keep the vrat sincerely.
- After Sankalpa, they can begin their vrat. Those who have opted for Nirjala vrat must not consume water while those who have kept a Phalhari vrat can eat fruits during the day.
- The person keeping the vrat may chant the Shiva Mantras and listen to Shiv Parvati Bhajans.
- Meanwhile, prepare three idols – one each of Lord Shiva, Mata Parvati, and Lord Ganesha – with natural clay or sand. In the evening, before the puja, prepare the Panchamrit (mix about 2-3 teaspoons of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee). Make Halwa or kheer for bhog (Naivedya).
- Subsequently, during Pradosh Kaal (the dusk) do the puja.
