Ruchi VermaHartalika Teej, a festival for women to impress Goddess Parvati who blesses them with a marriage like Shiva & Parvati, or healthy life of their husbands.
Haritalika Teej is basically a North Indian festival, which is celebrated amongst the people of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Hartalika Teej is typically a women’s festival celebrated by the females of India to enchant Goddess Parvati for her blessings. The blessings are targeted for good health and long life of the husbands of married women, whereas unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva.
Indians believe that on this auspicious day, Goddess Parvati was accepted by Lord Shiva. As per the story, Mata Parvati was in love with Shiva, but he was an ascetic and was not aware about her. In order to impress him, the goddess worshiped for many years in the Himalayas. Finally, Lord Shiva noticed Goddess Parvati and realized her love and devotion, and they got married. Since then, the goddess is being worshipped as ‘Hartalika’ and ‘Teej Mata’ by the Indian ladies.Hartalika Teej is celebrated at the end of the Hindu month ‘Sawan’ and beginning of ‘Bhadrapad’ or ‘Bhado’. Basically, the beautiful Hartalika Teej day falls on the third day of the fortnight of Bhadra month.
Women are usually seen in auspicious red, green and yellow colored lehangas, suits and sarees. Women start shopping for Teej well in advance. It gives them the opportunity to look beautiful of all. The most important ritual is to beautify hands with special mehandi designs. Ladies also wear new gold and diamond jewelry.
The most important ritual of Teej Festival is Teej Fast. Women and unmarried girls keep fast for long and healthy life of their husband. Teej fast goes for 24 long hours. It is the most rigorous fast in which a woman neither drinks nor eat.
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Wonderful post Ruchie. It was quite interesting to know in detail about this festival. I was drawn to this post as soon as I read ‘Shiva’. Being a follower of Yoga and learning it through Isha Foundation (Sadhguru) I have become an admirer or maybe even a devotee of Shiva or the adiyogi (the first Yogi – an interesting read here, http://www.ishafoundation.org/us/blog/facts-about-the-evolution-of-yoga-the-origin-of-yoga/). And therefore it was quite exciting to learn about this ritual. Thanks 🙂
Coming from the South India, I was unaware of such festivals or customs. Oh, until I got married to a Fauji and then my life is now full of surprises as I travel across the country. Thanks for beautifully explaining the story behind Teej. 🙂
Kohl-Eyed Me
Something’s Cooking
Yes it’s a beautiful festival
I don’t know much of Teej,Bengalis don’t have anything like this. But yes have seen it being celebrated in Bangalore.
Nice informative posts….the festive season begins 🙂
First year of marriage I did celebrate Teej with all the fasting and celebrations associated with it. Applying Mehndi was the biggest attraction for me. Now that I am way from my family and in London, don’t celebrate it much.
First year of marriage I did celebrate Teej with all the fasting and celebrations associated with it. Applying Mehndi was the biggest attraction for me. Now that I am way from my family and in London, don’t celebrate it much.
Teej is a big celebration in our society among ladies.
A beautiful and an informational read!
Had always heard about this festival but didn’t know much about it until now and considering am from UP my ignorance is surely not bliss :/. Thanks for bringing out the belief and the history behind this festival :).
I am settled in chattisgarh and for the past 8 years have asked around about Teej! I now know all the details. Thank you Ruchi, very well explained http://simpleindianmom.in/top-bollywood-celebrities-stand-organic-foods/
Informative Post. Good Read !
Wow good to know about this teej ?
Will tell mom about this one
Aren’t we in India lucky to have so many festivals and traditions that have many such stories behind them? Such an informative post.
Lot of my friends fast for this day while I’m not a very fasting kind of a person. It’s a tradition followed amongst lot of people.
Information here very well described!
Cheers
Geets