Why it is called Hartalika
The name joins two words: harit, "taken away", and aalika, "female friend". The vrat katha explains it. When Parvati was grown, the sage Narada told her father Himavan that Lord Vishnu wished to marry her, and Himavan agreed. Parvati had already given her heart to Shiva. Seeing her distress, her friends carried her away to a cave in the forest so the wedding could not happen. There, on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya, under the Hasta nakshatra, she made a Shivling of sand and worshipped it through the night without food or water. Shiva appeared, was pleased, and accepted her as his wife. Himavan, finding her, agreed to the match. The day of her friends' "abduction" became Hartalika Teej.
When it falls
Hartalika Teej is on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya, usually in late August or September, a day before Ganesh Chaturthi. It is the third and most austere of the monsoon Teej festivals, after Hariyali Teej (Shravan Shukla Tritiya) and Kajari Teej (Bhadrapada Krishna Tritiya). It is kept with particular devotion in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh (where it is called Teeja), and Maharashtra (where it is Hartalika and is followed the next day by Ganeshotsav). In Nepal it is the great women's festival of Teej.
Who keeps it
Married women keep it for their husband's long life and a happy marriage, as Parvati's own vrat won her Shiva. Unmarried girls keep it to find a husband as devoted as Shiva. In many families, once a woman begins the Hartalika vrat she keeps it every year for life, which is why elders often advise thinking before starting.
The vidhi
- The day before, eat a sattvik meal. In some families a pre-dawn meal (sargi) is eaten before sunrise on Teej itself.
- From sunrise, the fast is traditionally nirjala: no food and no water for the whole day and night.
- In the evening, during pradosh kaal, bathe, wear new or festive clothes (green and red are common), apply mehndi, and put on the sixteen adornments (solah shringar).
- Make the images. Shape small figures of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh from clay or sand, and place them on a decorated chowki under a small mandap of banana leaves or flowers.
- Puja. Worship Ganesh first, then Shiva and Parvati with water, sandalwood, flowers, bel leaves and dhatura for Shiva, and the items of suhag (bangles, sindoor, bindi, mehndi, a red chunri) for Parvati. Follow the Parvati puja vidhi for the order.
- Katha. Hear or read the Hartalika katha, usually together with other women.
- Aarti. Sing Jai Parvati Mata and Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
- Jagran. Stay awake through the night with bhajans, as Parvati did in the cave. Many do a puja in each of the four watches of the night.
- Parana. The next morning, after a final puja, immerse the clay images in water, give the suhag items to a married woman or a priest's wife, and then break the fast.
Cautions
- A full nirjala fast through a day and a night is demanding. Pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone with diabetes, low blood pressure or kidney trouble should keep a lighter fast (with water, or fruit and milk) and talk to a doctor. Tradition allows this; the vrat is about devotion, not harm.
- Don't sleep during the night of the vrat if you can avoid it; the jagran is part of the observance.
- Use eco-friendly clay or sand for the images and immerse them in a bucket or a garden if a clean water body is not available.
Frequently asked questions
When is Hartalika Teej?
On Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya, the third day of the bright half of Bhadrapada, usually a day before Ganesh Chaturthi. Check the Panchang for the exact date each year.
What is the difference between Hariyali, Kajari and Hartalika Teej?
Hariyali Teej (Shravan Shukla Tritiya) celebrates Shiva and Parvati's reunion with swings and green; Kajari Teej (Bhadrapada Krishna Tritiya) is known for kajari songs; Hartalika Teej is the strictest, a nirjala fast with night-long jagran.
Can unmarried girls keep Hartalika Teej?
Yes. Unmarried girls keep it for a good husband, since Parvati herself kept it before her marriage.
Can water be drunk during the Hartalika fast?
Traditionally the fast is nirjala. Those who cannot manage that for health reasons may keep it with water or fruit; many families allow this.
When is the Hartalika fast broken?
The next morning, after the final puja and immersion of the clay images, usually after sunrise.
Once started, must it be kept every year?
Many families believe so, and it is commonly advised. If it becomes impossible, an udyapan can be done to close the vrat with a priest's guidance.
Which god is worshipped on Hartalika Teej?
Shiva and Parvati, together with Ganesh, as clay or sand images made for the day.
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