Hartalika Teej is a significant Hindu festival primarily celebrated by women, especially in North India. The festival is devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is observed to seek blessings for a happy and prosperous married life. In 2024, Hartalika Teej falls on Friday, September 6. The festival holds immense importance for women, particularly for those praying for marital bliss.
Hartalika Teej 2024 – Date and Timings
In 2024, Hartalika Teej Vrat will be celebrated on September 6. The Tritiya Tithi (third lunar day) begins on September 5 at 12:21 PM and concludes on September 6 at 3:01 PM. The Pratahkala Hartalika Puja Muhurat (morning puja time) is from 5:59 AM to 8:36 AM on September 6, which is considered the most auspicious time for the Hartalika Puja.
History and Significance of Hartalika Teej
The name “Hartalika” comes from two Sanskrit words: “Harat,” meaning abduction, and “Aalika,” meaning a female friend. According to mythology, Goddess Parvati deeply desired to marry Lord Shiva. To help her, her friends abducted her and took her to a forest to escape her father, who wanted her to marry Lord Vishnu. There, Parvati made a clay idol of Lord Shiva and worshipped him. Impressed by her devotion, Lord Shiva agreed to marry her. Eventually, Parvati’s father gave his consent for their marriage, making the festival a symbol of devotion, friendship, and marital bliss.
Rituals and Celebrations of Hartalika Teej 2024
Women celebrate Hartalika Teej by observing a strict fast, refraining from even water. They create idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati from clay or sand and perform special pujas. The festival involves chanting prayers, singing devotional songs, and decorating homes. Married women pray for the longevity and well-being of their husbands, while unmarried women seek blessings for a good husband. In South India, particularly in states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, it is known as Gowri Habba, where women observe Swarna Gowri Vratha for blessings.