Hartalika Teej 2024: Date, Shubh Muhurat and Fasting Rituals

Hartalika Teej is celebrated to honor the marital bond of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Both girls and married women observe fast and celebrate Hartalika Teej. According to the Panchang or Hindu Calendar, this festival is celebrated on the third day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada (23rd August, 2024 to 22nd September, 2024). Women celebrate this festival with rituals for having a blissful and happy married life. It is believed that Goddess Parvati observed fast on Hartalika Teej for having Lord Shiva as her husband. Apart from Hartalika Teej, there are two more Teej that are celebrated in the month of Sawan and Bhadrapada - Hariyali Teej and Kajari Teej.  

Date and Shubh Muhurat for Hartalika Teej Puja Hartalika Teej 2024

The Hartalika Teej will be celebrated on 6th September, 2024. The Tritiya Tithi will begin at 12:21 PM on 5th September, 2024 and will end at 03:01 PM on 6th September, 2024. The Shubh Muhurat for performing Hartalika Teej Puja is between 06:02 AM till 08:33 AM. There is a total time duration of puja for 2 hours 30 minutes.       

Story of Hartalika Teej  

The word Hartalika is formed with two different words i.e. ‘Harat’ and ‘Aalika’. ‘Harat’ means abduction or kidnapping and ‘Aalika’ means a female friend or Sakhi. There is an interesting story behind the name. Goddess Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva from a very young age. Lord Vishnu was impressed to see the determination of Goddess Parvati. He sent Narad Muni with a proposal for seeking Parvati’s hand in marriage from her father. However, Goddess Parvati only had Lord Shiva in her mind. She sought help from her friend who kidnapped her and hid her in a forest where she meditated and prayed for Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was deeply impressed by Goddess Parvati and accepted her as his wife.  

Religious Significance of Hartalika Teej 

As per Hindu traditions, Hartalika Teej is regarded as the most holy and auspicious fasts for fulfillment of your desires and a blissful marital life. Not only in Northern India, but people in the Southern part of the country also celebrate Hartalika Teej with devotion and enthusiasm. The festival is known as Gowri Habba in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Girls and women seek blessings from Goddess Gowri by worshiping her and observing Swarna Gowri Vratha on the eve of Gowri Habba.  

Fasting Rituals for Hartalika Teej  

Girls and women observe a 24-hour fast on Hartalika Teej. It  has been observed that the fasting devotees do not consume any water or grain throughout this festival. The women start their fast at the dawn on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya Tithi and end it at the dawn on Chaturthi. As the fast begins, the women have to take a vow which needs to be kept for the entire life. One should be conscious and abide by the vow taken. 

Solah Shringar is an important element during fasting. Sindoor, Mangalsutra, Bindi, Bichua, Bangles, etc are essential for married women. Women buy new beauty items for oneself as well as offer to Goddess Parvati as well. They pray for the long life of their husband and other family members. Women usually wear outfits in red and green. One should avoid black and blue colors.  

Step by step Pujan Vidhi for Hartalika Teej  

• Both girls and women should take an early morning bath.  
• Women wear red and green clothes and do Solah Shringar.  
• One should take a vow or Sankalp before starting the Hartalika Vrat and Puja.  
• Place hand made idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati on a platform or an altar in the mandir or temple in the house.   
• You can also book a pandit for Hartalika Puja or even get it done by oneself.  
• Now, first start worshiping Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Now, decorate the altar with banana leaves, flowers, and apply kumkum on the forehead of the idols.  
• Start Shodashopachar Pooja of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The Shodashopachara Puja is a 16 steps puja ritual that starts from Avahanam and ends at Neerajanam.  
• Start Anga Puja for Goddess Parvati.  
• Recite Hartalika Vrat Katha.  
• After the Vrat Katha is complete, offer Suhaag ornaments to Mata Parvati.  
• The one who keeps fast should perform Ratri Jagran. Fasting devotees perform bhajan and kirtan the whole night. They perform Dana Karma to the married woman and give her eatables, Shringar Samagri, clothes, jewelry, sweets, fruits, etc next morning.  

Conclusion 

The festival of Hartalika Teej is celebrated across the country with love and devotion. With a belief in the hearts of women, the festival marks the true love of a wife for the long and healthy life of her partner. It restores faith, traditions and cultural values in our life.