Hartalika Teej

Prominent Hindu Teej or Hartalika Teej festival is an important occasion for Hindu women in India and Nepal. It is very much popular amongst Khas women in Nepal, so has it gained too much popularity amongst women is several states of Indian subcontinent. Literal meaning of “Teej” is 3rd hence this festival usually falls on the Amavasya or the 3rd day after the moonless night. It is celebrated on 3rd day after the full moon night in any month. The occasion which is considered popular is 3rd day post the Amavasya of Shraavana new moon.

History

Hartalika Teej festival is popular since time immemorial in some states of India and in several regions in nearby Nepal. This festival is also denoted with many other names like Shraavana Teej due to its usual celebration in the Hindu Saawan month which falls during monsoon period. As rainy season brings total greenery on land everywhere, this festival is also denoted with unique name Hariyali Teej or Green Teej amongst others.

Indian states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Utter Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab are the major locations where Hartalika Teej celebrations are witnessed with great zeal. As it usually falls anytime from late July to early August every year on 3rd day after the Shraavana or Saawan month new moon this festival remains in limelight for it being celebrated on an occasion while the season becomes pleasant.

Celebrations

Uniqueness of Hartalika Teej is typical celebration that turns this festival into a truly fascinating one. As this important Hindu festival dedicates to Goddess Parvati, the celebrators usually make it a point to enact that particular scene on this special day to commemorate union of Parvati and Lord Shiva under this festive feeling. Perhaps such theme makes it an important festival and all women celebrating it do pray for their marital bliss besides overall wellbeing of their spouse during this occasion.

Furthermore, this festival is also meant to seek the purification of body and soul and a celebration to ensure safety, security and complete wellbeing of children. It is celebrated for 3 days consecutively in which sumptuous feasts and the rigid fasting combine together as part of the myth and trend. In its celebrations in the Nepalese culture and the cultures in Indian states, the very first day of Hartalika Teej is considered a Dar Khane Din. It is amazing to see cultural amalgamation of Nepali women on this day when both married and unmarried women from Khas ethnicity gather together in the best of dressings.

Most women involve in dances and singing activities especially singing devotional songs. A grand feast is organized on that day itself. A 24-hour long fast starts after the midnight. The next day—2nd day of Hartalika Teej festival remains a fasting day. Although women are permitted to take liquid and fruit but most of them avoid taking anything for the whole day.

Importance of Festival

Visiting nearby Shiva temples and involvement in the multiple puja activities are common practices on the 2nd day of this festival. Women sing devotional songs and involve in dancing activities on that day. Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal witnesses a gathering of huge rush of women on that day. Worshipping women circumambulate the Shiva Linga on this particular occasion. They offer flowers, sweets and coins to Shiva God while performing main puja.

Women seek God’s blessing especially for their husbands and family members on this particular day. Keeping an oil lamp alight throughout the night is major aspect of Hartalika Teej festival. Rishi Panchami is the 3rd day of Hartalika Teej festival with all women involved in it complete worshipping other Gods besides Shiva to end up paying homage to them. The finish puja ceremony by involving in the final act of bathing with red mud on the last day which is considered sacred for the salvation.

It is assumed that this final act of Teej proves helpful for worshippers to purify them and get absolved from all sins they might have made previously. Such are the important aspects that make Hartalika Teej so much popular in Nepal and India where this festival has been gaining ample publicity and popularity.

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