The festival of Hartalika Teej is celebrated to mark the reunion of Lord Mahadeva with Goddess Parvati. To celebrate this reunion, Hindu women observe fast to wish for long lives of their husbands. Even unmarried women observe Hartalika Teej fast to wish for a husband like Lord Mahadeva. It is celebrated during Shukla Paksha Tritiya of Bhadrapada month. Hartalika Teej follows Hariyali Teej just a month later. It is celebrated a day before Ganesh Chaturthi. In 2017, it will be celebrated on 24th August on Thursday.
Teej in different part of India
Teej is also known by names like Tay, Baya and Teeyan by different sects of India. Though the festival is same, it is celebrated by different names in different parts of the country. Some of them are: Hariyali Teej, Akha Teej, Hartalika Teej, and Kajari Teej. The name of the festival varies from place to place.
Why is this Teej named Hartalika
This Teej is known by the name Hartalika due to the legend associated with it. The word Hartalika comes by an amalgamation of two words, Harat which means abduction and Aalika which is a female friend. According to the legends, Goddess Parvati’s friend escorted her to a thick forest so that her father couldn’t get her married to Lord Vishnu against her will.
Married women are presented with makeup items by her in-laws. This includes vermillion (Sindoor), Henna (Mehndi), Bindi, Bangles and Sari. During the fast, women dress up beautifully and apply henna tattoo to their palms. This ritual is to celebrate a happy married life.
In the evening, women pray to Goddess Parvati and recite the Teej Vrat Katha to each other. Post Teej rituals, they visit the nearby temple to offer prayers to Lord Mahadeva and Goddess Parvati.
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