Hartalika Teej is one of the most popular festivals celebrated by women in India especially those who live in UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. This festival is completely dedicated to the Goddess Parvati and her marriage to Lord Shiva. On Teej day, women dwell upon fasting, wear beautiful dresses with colours like red, green, or yellow, and get involved in offering prayers and other related rituals. Whether it’s a married woman or an unmarried girl, they craft the idols of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, and Lord Ganesha from clay and then worship it to fulfill their desire to find the right partners and pay for their long lives.
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Date for Hartalika Teej 2024
As per the Hindu Calander, this year 2024, the Hartalika Teej will be observed on 18th September. The dates widely depend on the lunar calendar and for this, you have to follow the Panchang accurately to know the exact dates of the Hindu festivals.
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Significance of Teej
Teej is the festival of women who pray for the long and healthy life of their life partners. It also celebrates the idea of the union of Maa Parvati and Lord Shiva elevating the powers of love and the virtue of marital promise. As per our culture and traditions, it is believed that if an unmarried girl observes the Hartalika Teej Fast, she will be lucky enough to get her soul mate. It is similar to the Maa Parvati who worshipped Shiva and fulfilled her desire to marry him. So, we can say that the whole purpose of this festival is to worship for a happy married life and a partner who values your existence in his life.
Teej Puja and Rituals
Some of the special activities performed during Teej are Nirjala fast in which women do not consume food or even drink water for the whole day. Teej Puja is required to be performed by offering special foods to the goddess as well as a prayer for marital bliss. Women apply beautiful mehndi on their hands and sing bhajans. This is followed by prayers worshipping Lord Shiva and Paravati.
Types of Teej
There are three main types of Teej:
Hariyali Teej: Held during the monsoons, it is about the colour green and new growth.
Kajari Teej: This festival is celebrated two weeks after Hariyali Teej and is characterised by singing Kajari songs.
Hartalika Teej: This is the most popular Teej, in which women fast to mirror Parvati’s dedication to obtain Shiva’s attention.
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Celebration of Teej
14 K Gold Blooming Bud Diamond Earrings
In this festival, women celebrate the day with singing and dancing. Outdoor swings that come with flower decorations are put in place while the women put on their best traditional jewellery attires. Collectively it is full of joy, devotion, and an almost festive spirit of energy.
Teej in Different States
Teej is celebrated differently across India.
In Rajasthan Teej processions and fairs-process are, conducted by the women and they sing traditional songs to mark their occasion. While Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are concentrating on rituals and fasting. In UP, Teej is a grand festival in which women, and girls fast, sing, and dance through the day.
Gifts for Teej
The exchange of gifts forms one of the important traditions of Teej. Traditional lab grown diamond jewellery, sarees, sweets, and some specific items that have significance on this day, are some of the gifts usually exchanged. Suhag is gifted by the families of the bride which includes – bangles, sindoor, saree, and mehndi.
Honour This Bond Of Love with GIVA’s Jewellery
Teej’ is a beautiful process of devotion, fasting, and celebration when women feel spiritually linked to the Goddess Parvati and also equally express the power and patience of women. So, it is time that you buy them beautiful GIVA jewellery made from gold & silver. As this festival remains dear to the hearts of women in India, you must gift them jewellery that keeps them reminding your love & stays with them forever!
Frequently Asked Queries
Why do women fast during Teej?
Fasting during Teej is basically for worshipping the Goddess Parvati and to pray for the husband’s long, healthy, and wealthy life. The fast is credited with the ability to bless families with happiness and good marriage.
What is the story behind Teej?
Teej festival is celebrated to congratulate the Goddess Parvati on her determination to make Lord Shiva her husband. Her worship was considerable for years, and finally, Shiva agreed to marry her.
How can one prepare for Teej Puja?
In preparation for Teej Puja the women clean the house, and get the idols of Parvati, and Shiva, flowers, fruits, and sweets for the offering. The other preparations include traditional costumes, mehndi, and jewelleries made from gold & silver.
Are there any specific foods to eat after the Teej fast?
On this day of the Nirjala fast, women allow themselves to eat fruits and sweets as well as take some light vegetarian foods. In addition, there are sweet preparations like Ghewar, Kheer, and Sabudana khichdi.
