Haritalika Teej 2013 — mypanchang.com

Haritalika Teej

Haritalika Teej falls on the third day of Bhadrapada's bright fortnight and is one of the most significant fasts observed by Hindu women. The name comes from two words: harit (abducted, or green/forest) and aalika (female friend) — recalling the story of Parvati's friends who whisked her away to the forest to prevent an unwanted marriage arranged by her father.

The mythology: Parvati's father Himalaya had arranged her marriage to Vishnu, but Parvati, who loved Shiva, refused. Her friends (sakhi) took her away to a dense forest where she performed an intense penance, fasting and worshipping a clay Shiva linga for many years. Moved by her devotion, Shiva appeared and accepted her as his wife. This story is the reason unmarried girls fast for the husband they desire and married women fast for the wellbeing of their husbands.

The fast is nirjala — no food, no water — from the day before (Dwitiya) sunset until the Tritiya puja is complete the next morning. Women stay awake all night singing songs of Parvati-Shiva, listening to the Haritalika vrat katha, and worshipping sand or clay images of Shiva-Parvati. In Karnataka and Maharashtra this day is celebrated as Swarna Gowri Vrata (Gowri Habba), the most important women's festival of the year.

उमामहेश्वराभ्यां च नमस्कारं प्रकुर्वते। सौभाग्यं वर्धते नित्यं पुत्र-पौत्रादि-वर्धनम्।।

"Those who offer salutations to Uma (Parvati) and Maheshvara (Shiva) gain ever-increasing auspiciousness, sons, and grandsons."

— Haritalika Teej Vrat Katha

Tradition & Practice

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Nirjala Fast

Haritalika is observed as a complete nirjala fast — no food, no water — from the previous evening to the next morning's puja. It is considered one of the most demanding women's fasts.

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All-Night Vigil

Women stay awake all night singing Teej songs, listening to the Haritalika Vrat Katha, and worshipping clay/sand images of Shiva and Parvati before immersing them in a river at dawn.

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Green Attire

Women wear green sarees and bangles on Haritalika — green symbolises new growth, fertility, and the verdant forest where Parvati performed her penance. Mehndi (henna) is applied to hands.

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Parvati and Shiva

Haritalika celebrates Parvati's devotion and determination in choosing her own husband. Her tapas (austerity) over many years is the reason even the most austere fast on this day is believed to yield results.

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Swarna Gowri Vrata

In Karnataka and Maharashtra this is Gowri Habba / Swarna Gowri Vrata — the golden Gowri festival. Gowri (Parvati) is brought home as a guest, worshipped with 16 services, and sent back the next day.

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Teej Songs

Teej fairs and women singing Teej songs (geet) are characteristic of the festival in Rajasthan, UP, and Bihar. Swings are hung from trees; women dress in bridal colours and celebrate with music.

Auspicious Timings

Chogadia Muhurta

Chogadia	From	To
Shubh	Sep/9/2013 08:05:04	Sep/9/2013 09:39:43
Labh	Sep/9/2013 14:23:43	Sep/9/2013 15:58:23
Amrit	Sep/9/2013 15:58:23	Sep/9/2013 17:33:03
Labh	Sep/9/2013 19:07:43	Sep/9/2013 20:33:08

Chogadia

From

Shubh

Sep/9/2013 08:05:04

Sep/9/2013 09:39:43

Labh

Sep/9/2013 14:23:43

Sep/9/2013 15:58:23

Amrit

Sep/9/2013 15:58:23

Sep/9/2013 17:33:03

Labh

Sep/9/2013 19:07:43

Sep/9/2013 20:33:08

Gowri Panchangam

Day

Soram	Bad	06:30:24 – 08:05:04
Uthi	Good	08:05:04 – 09:39:43
Visham	Bad	09:39:43 – 11:14:23
Amridha	Best	11:14:23 – 12:49:03
Rogam	Evil	12:49:03 – 14:23:43
Labham	Gain	14:23:43 – 15:58:23
Dhanam	Wealth	15:58:23 – 17:33:03
Sugam	Good	17:33:03 – 19:07:43

Night

Labham	Gain	19:07:43 – 20:33:08
Dhanam	Wealth	20:33:08 – 21:58:33
Sugam	Good	21:58:33 – 23:23:59
Soram	Bad	23:23:59 – 24:49:24
Uthi	Good	24:49:24 – 02:14:49
Visham	Bad	02:14:49 – 03:40:14
Amridha	Best	03:40:14 – 05:05:40
Soram	Bad	05:05:40 – 06:31:05

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