What is Hartalika Teej?
Hartalika Teej is an inimitable and spiritual Hindu festival celebrated on the Tritiya (third day) of the Shukla Paksha in the Bhadrapada month. This means that the concept is particularly important for women. However, on this day, married women fast for their husband and pray for their long distance in their lives and prosperity while unmarried girls fast and worship the god and goddess seeking an ideal life partner.This fast is known as Nirjala (without water and food) in the normal scenario, and with complete faith and observing strict rules the whole day by the devotees. On this sacred day, women dress beautifully, observe fasts, andlisten to the tale of Shiva and Parvati, praying for marital happiness and blessings.
The word ‘Hartalika’ is derived from two Sanskrit words:
• Harat – meaning “to abduct”
• Aalika – meaning “a close female friend”
According to legend, when the father of Goddess Parvati, King Himalaya, proposed to marry his daughter to Lord Vishnu, she felt grieved to the core. Anguished and depressed, she retreated to a dense forest and lived in a cavesurviving only on dry leaves, removed from all types of worldly pleasures and comfort. She made a Shiva idol out of mud and worshipped it very passionately, praying that she want Lord Shiva to be her solemate. Deeply moved by her unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before her and accepted her as his consort. Ever since, displays of love and friendship above the relationship of brother and sister, on the day was eventually worshiped by the lady following which this day was celebrated as Hartalika Teej.So, not alone a fast signifies love & devotion but also that if you love with pure heart or you have a strong will & determination or you are strong from inside you can do anything.
Mythological Story of Hartalika Teej
The story of Hartalika Teej is not merely a religious tale—it is a timeless inspiration reflecting feminine strength, love, inner resolve, and deep penance. The story begins with the life of Sati, who was born as the daughter of King Daksha Prajapati.
Once, Daksha organized a grand yajna (sacrificial ritual) but deliberately did not invite his son-in-law, Lord Shiva. When Sati came to know this, she sought permission from Lord Shiva to attend. Shiva warned that going uninvited would be improper, but he allowed her upon her insistence. Upon reaching her father’s sacrificial site, Sati saw that Lord Shiva had been insulted and was not given any place there. Unable to bear the humiliation, she sacrificed her life in the sacrificial fire. In her next birth, she was reborn as the daughter of King Himalaya and came to be known as Parvati. Even in this life, her mind remained devoted to Lord Shiva. From a young age, she resolved to marry Him and began her penance for the same. Meanwhile, one day, Sage Narada visited King Himalaya and informed him that Lord Vishnu wished to marry Parvati. Delighted, Himalaya readily agreed. When Parvati came to know of this, she was heartbroken and wept bitterly. Her close friend asked her the reason, to which she replied that her only goal in life was to marry Lord Shiva, but her father had arranged her marriage with Vishnu. She had taken a firm vow—if she could not marry Lord Shiva, she would rather renounce her life.
Her friend comforted her and secretly took her deep into a forest, where Parvati began intense penance by the riverbank, without food or water. It was on the third day of the Shukla Paksha in the Bhadrapada month that Goddess Parvati shaped a Shiva Lingam out of clay and worshipped it with complete dedication.
Moved by her unwavering love and penance, Lord Shiva appeared before her and asked what boon she desired. Parvati asked to have Him as her husband. Touched by her sincerity, Shiva accepted her as His consort. At that very moment, King Himalaya also arrived there searching for his daughter. Parvati firmly told him that she would return home only if he promised her marriage to Lord Shiva. Her father agreed, and later their grand wedding was solemnized.
The story of Hartalika Teej stands as a powerful symbol of a woman’s faith, devotion, and inner strength. Listening to or reading this tale on the day of the fast brings mental peace, spiritual strength, and completeness to the observance of the vow.
Hartalika Teej 2025: Date and Auspicious Timings
• Vrat Date: Tuesday, 26 August 2025
• Tritiya Tithi Starts: 25 August 2025 at 12:37 PM
• Tritiya Tithi Ends: 26 August 2025 at 1:57 PM
• Auspicious Puja Time: 26 August 2025, from 6:25 AM to 8:25 AM
Hartalika Teej Vrat Puja Vidhi (Worship Method)
1. Morning Bath and Sankalp (Resolution): Take a bath before sunrise and mentally prepare for the Nirjala fast (without food and water). With a peaceful mind, hold water and flowers in your hand, meditate upon Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and resolve to observe the fast with full dedication, discipline, and faith.
2. Adornment and Puja Samagri (Materials): On this day, married women (suhaagans) adorn themselves with beautiful traditional makeup and clothes. The essential puja items include, Clay idols of Goddess Gauri and Lord Shiva, Ganga water, flowers, roli, rice, incense, lamp, fruits, betel leaves, areca nuts, coconut, kalash, cosmetics, and a mandap (canopy) made using banana leaves or cloth.
3. Puja Vidhi (Procedure):
- On a clean surface, set up a mandap using banana leaves or cloth, and place the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on a decorated platform.
- Install the kalash and light a lamp (deepak).
- Perform abhishek of the idols using Ganga water.
- Offer incense, sandalwood, vermilion, rice, and flowers to Lord Shiva.
- Offer traditional adornments (Solah Shringar) to Goddess Gauri as a symbol of respect and marital bliss.
- Present bhog (sacred food offerings) to both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
- After completing the puja, read or listen to the Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha with full faith and devotion.
- Conclude the worship with the aarti of Shiva-Parvati.
4. Night Vigil and Vrat Parana (Conclusion of Fast): Women observing the fast stay awake through the night, engaging in devotional singing (bhajans and kirtans) accompanied by instruments like the conch (shankh) and mridangam. Sleeping during this vrat is considered prohibited. On the next morning, after sunrise, they conclude the fast by performing a final puja with devotion and then break their fast with light fruit-based food (phalhaar).
Significance of Hartalika Teej
- This festival is a great symbol of faith and devotion for women.
- Married women observe this fast for the long life of their husbands and for a happy and harmonious married life.
- Unmarried girls worship with reverence to attain a virtuous and suitable life partner.
- This fast is a symbol of unwavering determination and love, just like that of Goddess Parvati.
Benefits of Observing Hartalika Teej Vrat
- It enhances love and trust between husband and wife.
- Brings peace, happiness, and prosperity in married life.
- Helps in removing obstacles in married life.
- Fulfills heartfelt wishes and brings stability in life.
- Aids unmarried girls in getting a deserving and ideal life partner.
Special Mantras for Hartalika Teej
The chanting of the holy mantras on the day of Hartalika Teej are not just rituals — they are powerful spiritual practices that help those who recite them raise their individual awareness. These mantras chanted in remembrance of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with sincere worship and devoted mind create divine vibrations that fill the mind with peace, tranquility, and joy and keep the evils away.
For Lord Shiva mantras is Om Namah Shivaya• Parvati Devi Mantra: Om Heem Umaye Namah
How to Celebrate Hartalika Teej: Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s:
The fast should be observed with full confidence and concentration) for the sake of the effectiveness of Hikmet’s working and its spiritual benefit.
- Maintain control over your thoughts, speech, and actions—stay away from anger, conflict, and negativity.
- Spend the night in devotional singing, listening to the story of Shiva-Parvati, and immerse your mind in spiritual practice.
- If the body is healthy and there is no medical limitation, the fast should be observed in its strictest form—Nirjala (without food and water)—as it is considered most sacred.
Don’ts:
- Do not perform the worship heedlessly or in rush or in absent minded because this is a test of your love and do nee.
- Keep mind, emotions, and thoughts pure — let there be no negative thinking, hatred or ill wishes on this day.
- Do not lie, pick up unnecessary fights or an use harsh language that can interfere with the sanctity of the vrat — refrain from acts like this.
- Do not narrate or listen to the vrat katha in an incorrect manner or without devotion—attentive hearing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can pregnant women observe the Hartalika Teej fast?
Yes, pregnant women can observe this fast, but they should do so after considering their health and consulting a doctor. As Nirjala fast (without food and water) may not be suitable for them, they can keep a fruit-based fast (phalahaar) instead. With devotion and faith, they can perform the fast. The true essence of this vrat lies in the purity of intention and inner dedication.
2. If someone accidentally drinks water, does it break the fast?
No, if water is consumed by mistake, it does not break the fast. In this vrat, mental purity and the sincerity of resolve hold greater importance than formality. Devotees should not feel guilty, but instead continue the puja with complete faith and devotion.
3. Can unmarried girls observe this fast?
Absolutely. This fast is especially considered auspicious for unmarried girls who wish to attain a suitable life partner. Just as Goddess Parvati undertook penance to marry Lord Shiva, unmarried girls too can perform this vrat with the same devotion.
4. What is the difference between Hartalika Teej and Kajari Teej?
Hartalika Teej is celebrated on the Tritiya of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada and is primarily dedicated to the penance and divine consort of Goddess Parvati and Shiva. It emphasizes fasting, resolve, and staying awake at night. Kajari Teej, on the other hand, falls on the Tritiya of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada and is more commonly celebrated in North India’s rural areas. It is linked with folk traditions, swing rituals, and Moon worship.
5. Can men also observe this fast?
Traditionally, Hartalika Teej is observed by women, especially for marital bliss, love, and devotion. However, if a man wishes to worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with sincere faith and devotion, he may also participate in the puja.
