Celebration of Hartalika Teej 2024: Rituals and Significance

Hartalika Teej is a significant festival celebrated by married women in Hindu culture. It takes place annually on the third day of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada. This year, the festival is observed on September 6, with preparations starting from the previous day.

The festival commemorates the devotion of Goddess Parvati, who undertook severe penance to win the love of Lord Shiva. According to tradition, women observe a day-long fast, refraining from both food and water, to pray for their husbands’ long life and well-being.

This year, the auspicious timing for the festival begins at 12:22 PM on September 5 and concludes at 3:01 PM on September 6. It is important for devotees to plan their rituals according to these timings to ensure maximum spiritual benefits.

The rituals typically include the creation of idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati made from clay, arranging offerings such as flowers and fruits, and chanting sacred hymns. During the worship, items symbolizing marital blessings, such as sindoor, bangles, and other ceremonial gifts, are presented to the goddess as a gesture of devotion.

Particular celestial combinations are noted this year, as Parvati and Shiva’s worship coincidences with favorable astrological alignments, creating what is referred to as a ‘shubh yog’ or auspicious conjunction. This factor heightens the spiritual significance of Hartalika Teej in 2024.

As another aspect of the ritual, women also visit their in-laws and parents to share their devotion and blessings, reinforcing family ties and traditions. This traditional observance enriches the socio-cultural fabric of communities celebrating the festival.