Hartalika Teej: Celebrating the Sacred Bond of Marriage with Goddess Parvati
Hartalika Teej, a significant festival celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindu women in various regions of India, holds its roots in the sacred bond of marriage and devotion to Goddess Parvati. This annual observance takes place on the Tritiya Tithi (third lunar day) of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the month of Bhadrapada.
This year, Hartalika Teej falls on September 18th, according to the Hindu calendar. The auspicious morning shubh muhurat, or the favorable time for religious rituals, extends from 6:07 am to 8:34 am. The Tritiya Tithi begins on September 17th at 11:08 am and concludes on September 18th at 12:39 pm.
Celebrated primarily in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh, the festival holds immense significance for married women. It commemorates the devotion and austerity of Goddess Parvati, who undertook intense penance in a dense forest to attain Lord Shiva as her husband.
However, there are certain customs and practices that married women should be mindful of during Hartalika Teej to ensure the well-being of their husbands. These guidelines, shared by Dr. Mrityunjay Tiwari, help foster a harmonious and blessed married life:
1. Avoid wearing black bangles and clothes: Black is considered an inauspicious color associated with negative symbolism such as death and darkness. To maintain positive vibrations and prevent any strain in the marital relationship, married women should refrain from wearing black on this sacred day.
2. Abstain from arguments and hurtful speech: Respecting the sanctity of Hartalika Teej, both husbands and wives should avoid engaging in arguments or uttering words that may cause hurt or disharmony. This festival should be celebrated with love, understanding, and the utmost regard for one another.
3. Preserve the vermilion mark: The dash of vermilion powder applied to a married woman’s forehead is a sacred symbol marking her marital status. It is essential to treat this mark with reverence, especially on Hartalika Teej, and to carefully maintain it throughout the day.
4. Worship the divine trinity: To complete the Hartalika Teej fast and seek divine blessings, married women should worship Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, and Lord Ganesha. Devotion to these deities strengthens the marital bond and brings prosperity and marital bliss.
5. Reverence for mother-in-law and other women: Hartalika Teej is not only a celebration of marriage but also an occasion to honor and respect the relationships with other women, including the mother-in-law. It is essential to refrain from causing any offense or hurt to their feelings and uphold their dignity.
Hartalika Teej should not be confused with Hariyali Teej, which occurs a month earlier. While both festivals share similarities in rituals, Hariyali Teej marks the day when Lord Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati as his wife.
On this joyous occasion, let us embrace the essence of Hartalika Teej and strengthen the sacred bond of marriage with reverence, love, and harmony. May the blessings of Goddess Parvati and the divine trinity shower us with marital happiness and prosperity.
