Hartalika Teej Vrat

Hartalika Teej falls on the third day of the first fortnight of the month of ‘Bhadra’. Hartalika Teej is a three-day festival which is celebrated by women in honor of Goddess Parvati Mata. Hartalika Teej Day, women keep fast for long and good, healthy life of their husband, fast proceeds without even drinking a drop of water.
 
Hartalika Teej is the honor the memory of with a ceremony of the reunion of Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi. On this day, idol of Parvati Mata will be dressed up in bright colorful clothes and is taken out in a palanquin in a procession. Parvati idol is also accompanied by wild animals like elephants and camels which is the most attractive part of the Teej procession.

The major celebrations can be witnessed in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. In Karnataka, this fast is celebrated as Swarna Gauri Vrata or Gowri Habba while, in Andhra Pradesh, it is referred to as Thadiya Gauramma Vratham. 

On this holy day women sings traditional songs and enjoying the monsoon arrival. According to the mythology, Parvati Maa took 108 births to reunite with Lord Shiva. Teej main puja takes place with holy offerings of flowers, sweets and coins. 

A pandit or all the ladies together will narrate the holy Teej Katha. Young girls, women listening to the katha are expected to put their mind and thoughts towards their soul mate.