Hartalika Teej – A Festival For Hindu Women.

Hartalika Teej is observed in Bhadrapada or Bhaadra month. It is celebrated by Hindu women mainly in Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. This Varat (Fast) is observed by both married and unmarried women. Married women observe Hartalika Teej ‘Nirjala Vrat’ (Fasting without even taking water) for happy and peaceful married life and unmarried girls observe this ‘nirjala vrat’ for getting good husbands.

Hartalika Teej is observed in the Honor of Goddess Parvati. It is believed Goddess Parvati will be pleased with women who observe this Vrat. As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that after the death of Goddess Sati Devi, Shiva ignored the whole world and as well Goddess Parvati Devi. To get Shiva back, Parvathi observed severe penance in Himalayas for several years. After the severe penance of Parvati for several years, Lord Shiva noticed her love and affection towards him and married her.

On this auspicious day, women wear new clothes, apply mehendi on their hands and feet wear their best jewelery, complete ‘Solha Shingar’ .Melas (Fairs ) are organized regionally to celebrate this festival.

There are several regional variations of this Teej Vrat in India but the essence remains the same. The other two Teej Vrat’s are Hariyali Teej and Kajari Teej but Hartalika Teej being the most important. This year Hartalika Teej will be celebrated on 23th August 2009.

For Hartailka Vrat Katha (story) please refer the below link
http://www.indif.com/nri/Kathas/hartalika_teej/hartalika_teej_vrat.asp