Haritalika Teej 2018: Puja Vidhi, Tithi timings, Muhurat and significance of the festival
Many believe that on this day the Goddess declared that fasting and performing certain rituals will bless women with a happy married life.
Haritalika Teej 2018/ Teej 2018: 'Haritalika Teej', the festival is widely celebrated by married Hindu women in Northern and Western parts of India to pray for the well-being of their spouses. The word 'haryali' means greenery and represents the monsoon season, a time when downpour brightens up the surroundings.
The day also celebrates the determination of Goddess Parvati who took 108 re-births until Lord Shiva gave in to her dedication and tied the nuptial knot with her. Many believe that on this day the Goddess declared that fasting and performing certain rituals will bless women with a happy married life.
While the way of celebration may vary, there are certain things without which Teej is incomplete.
The significant henna
Applying Henna or Mehndi is a common ritual followed by women on most festivals as it not only adds to the beauty but is also considered a 'shagun' (sign of good luck). On Teej too, women flock to markets to get beautiful henna designs on their hands, the darker the colour the better it is!
Muhurat
The Muharat will last for 2 hours 26 minutes. And the Tritiya Tithi will begin on September from 6:04 pm to 4:07 pm on September 12.
Puja Vidhi
1. Do the puja during Pradosh kaal
2. Make small idols of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesh. You can use clay or flour
3. Offer clothes, sindoor, bangles and other gifts symbolic of a married woman to Goddess Parvati. Offer clothes to Lord Shiva before you begin reading the Katha
4. Gather your family members, friends, and loved ones to listen to the Hariyali Teej Katha
5. Do Ganesh aarti followed by aarti for Shivji
6. You can donate the clothes offered to the idols to a brahmin
7. Observe the fast all day
8. Do puja next day and offer sindoor to Goddess Parvati
9. Distribute the prasad of halwa and malpua
A sweet ending
What gujiya is to Holi, ghewar is to Teej! Ghewar comes in different varieties and is the most commonly savoured sweet on the day. Other sweet delicacies made on this day include kheer, malpua and halwa.