Hartalika Teej
Hartalika Teej
Hartalika Teej is a three-day festival, celebrated by women also in honor of Maa Parvati, in the month of Bhadrapad.
By praying to Maa Parvati on these three days, unmarried girls hope to get a husband like Shiva. Married women pray to her for marital bliss.
According to Hindu mythology, Maa Parvati was in love with Lord Shiva. Being an ascetic however, Shiva was not aware of her. Maa Parvati performed penance on the Himalayas for many years before Shiva finally noticed her. Realizing the depth of her love and devotion, Shiva agreed to marry her. Since then Parvati has been worshipped as Haritalika.
Women and Young Girls maintain Nirjala Vrata on these three days, and keep awake all three nights. This is symbolic of the penance which Parvati undertook to get Shiva as her husband. They offer food to Brahmins and young girls.