Hartalika Teej – 24th to 25th of August

About Hartalika Teej

Teej is a popular Hindu festival for women, wherein they pray and fast for the long life and wellbeing of their husbands.

There are three variations of this festival, namely,

• HaryaliTeej,

• HartalikaTeej,

• KajariTeej—also known as Badi Teej.

While most parts of the country will observe KajariTeej on the 10^th of August this year, women in different parts of India will observe the HartalikaTeej between the 24^th of August and the 25^th of August.

The festival of Teejhonors and pays tribute to the impeccable devotion of Goddess Parvati, who had undergone years and years of penance and sacrifices to finally become a consort of Lord Shiva.

Thus, on the occasion of Teej, all married women observe a fast to seek blessings of Goddess Parvati, in order to live a happy married life. And on the other hand, many unmarried girls to observe the festival of Teej by keeping fast to show their devotion to getting a husband as exemplary as Lord Shiva.

On the festival of Teej, every woman dresses up beautifully in traditional attires as they observe an all-day fast and perform the Puja for Goddess Parvati to seek her blessings for a happy and peaceful marital life and also a long and healthy life for her husband.

All women offer fruits, sweets, flowers, as well as sindoor(vermilion) to Goddess Parvati as they jointly participate in all the rituals of Teej.

While some women observe nirjalavrata, which is fast without even drinking water, some choose to observe fast where they can at least have fruits. It is only after all the rituals of the festival are over that they can finally break their fast at the end of the day.