Hartalika Teej 2017 - Haritalika Vrat

Hartalika Teej 2017 date is August 24. There are many festivals and fasts in Hinduism that play an important role in society. There are some festivals, which are performed by mothers to increase the lifespan of their children such as Jivitputrika Vrat, some of the other fasts are observed by married women for the wellbeing of their husbands like Karva Chauth and Hartalika teej.

Hartalika teej is observed on the third day of bright half of Hindu month Bhadrapada. This fast is usually observed by married women. However, unmarried girls also observe it to be blessed with good husband like Lord Shiva. The day of Hartalika Teej is celebrated in remembrance of Goddess Parvati’s deep determination to win over her love, Lord Siva. It is believed that Goddess Parvati gets pleased with those women who observe this Vrat or fast. Nonetheless, it is celebrated all across India in some form or the other.

On this day, women get up early in the morning and wear new Sari and jewelry, adorn themselves with ‘16 Shringar’ and visit the temples to worship and observe the fast even without taking a single drop of water.

As per sacred texts, women should take a vow in the morning after bathing by chanting following mantra: “मम् उमामहेश्वरसायुज्यसिद्धये हरितालिकाव्रतमहं करिष्ये”. After it, the house should be decorated with a Mandap and one should worship Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati by keeping their idols over a Kalash and chant the following mantras: “ॐ उमायै पार्वत्यै जगद्धात्र्यै जग्त्प्रतिष्ठायै शान्तिरूपिण्यै शिवायै ब्रह्म रूपिन्यै” for goddess and “ॐ हराय महेश्वराय शम्भवे शूल पाणये पिनाकधृषे शिवाय पशुपतये महादेवाय नमः” for Shiva. Worship should be concluded with Shodashopachara and offering the prayer to goddess Parvati with the mantra: “देवि देवि उमे गौरि त्राहि मां करुणानिधे ममापराधाः क्षन्तव्या भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदा भव”. The fast should be observed without taking any food till the next morning. One should also recite or listen to the story of Haritalika Vrat in the evening accompanied with her husband.