Women in India and Nepal celebrate the festival of Teej, offering worship to Lord Shiva. There are a total of three Teej- Kajari Teej, Hariyali Teej and Hartalika Teej. The Hartalika Teej 2018 will be celebrated on September 12, Wednesday. It is celebrated during Shukla Paksha Tritiya of Bhadrapada month. Girls and women worship Lord Shiva and Parvati for marital harmony on this day. People specifically make clay models of Lord Shiva and wife Parvati and offer them prayers, seeking good blessings in return. Hartalika Teej falls one day before Ganesh Chaturthi. Ganesh Chaturthi 2018 will begin from September 13.

Hartalika Teej is celebrated mostly in the Northern states of the country. Parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh observe this day by keeping a fast praying for marital bliss. Teej festival marks the union of Goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva. Married women prominently celebrate the Hartalika Teej, by keeping a strict fast for the entire day and have food only after sunset. Here Are Some Mehandi Designs for Teej.

Puja Muhurat for Hartalika Teej:

The Puja Muhurat for Hartalika Teej starts at 6.15 am in the morning and ends at 8.42 am, according to drikpanchang.com. This time is considered promising to offer prayers to Goddess Parvati. The prayer muhurat lasts for 2 hours 26 minutes. September 2018 Festivals and Holiday Calendar: Krishna Janmashtami to Ganesh Chaturthi, Know All Important Event Dates and List of Hindu Fasts for the Month. 

Tritiya Tithi Begins = 18:04 on September, 11.

Tritiya Tithi Ends = 16:07 on September, 12.

Significance of the Hartalika Teej:

The meaning of the word Hartalika comes from Harat (abduct) and Aalika (females) meaning 'kidnapping of a woman friend.' The legend states Goddess Paravti's friends took her into a forest so that her father could not get her married to Lord Vishnu against her wishes. In the forest, Goddess Parvati had observed a Hartalika Vrat wishing for Lord Shiva. She made a Shiva Lingam out of her hair and offered prayers, which impressed Lord Shiva. He gave a word to her that he will marry her. So this day is considered auspicious for married women and also unmarried ones in the hope of getting a good, ideal husband. Kajari Teej 2018: Significance, Celebrations, Puja Muhurat Related to Badi Teej Fast Observed by Women.

Puja Vidhi for Hartalika Teej:

  • Take bath early in the morning, wear clean clothes and get ready for the Puja.

  • Women also decorate the house with rangoli and garlands.

  • On this day, clay models of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are made and then prayed to.

  • Offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, Hartalika Aarti is chanted to please the deities.

  • The puja goes on for the entire night. Prayers are offered to Lord Shiva and Parvati every three hours of the day (Pahar). 

The Hartalika Puja is also known as Shiva-Parvati Puja. In the southern states, it is a Gowri Habba. The day is observed to pray for an eternal marital bliss and long life of the husband. Women wear new clothes, some even apply Mehendi a day prior. They chant mantras to please Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati, an ideal couple.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2018 05:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).