Hartalika Teej 2025 Date and Puja Muhurat
According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Hartalika Teej falls on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya of the Bhadrapada month. In 2025, the festival will be observed on August 26. As per Drik Panchang, the auspicious timings are:
- Pratahkala Hartalika Puja Muhurat: 05:56 AM to 08:31 AM
- Duration: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Tritiya Tithi Begins: 12:34 PM on August 25, 2025
- Tritiya Tithi Ends: 01:54 PM on August 26, 2025
Hartalika Teej is one of the three major Teej festivals in India, along with Hariyali Teej and Kajari Teej. The festival celebrates Goddess Parvati’s unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva, symbolising eternal love and dedication. Married women observe a strict fast for the long life and prosperity of their husbands, while unmarried women pray for an ideal life partner.
In South India, the festival is observed as Gowri Habba, especially in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, where devotees worship Goddess Gauri with the Swarna Gauri Vrat.
The Story Behind Hartalika Teej
The word “Hartalika” comes from two Sanskrit terms—Harta (abduction) and Aalika (female companion). According to legend, King Himavat once agreed to marry his daughter Parvati to Lord Vishnu. However, Parvati confided in her friends that she wished to marry only Lord Shiva. On their advice, she left her home and performed severe penance in the forest.
Her deep devotion moved Lord Shiva, who accepted her as his consort. Thus, Hartalika Teej marks Goddess Parvati’s determination and love, inspiring women to dedicate the day to fasting and prayer for marital happiness.
Rituals and Observances
The rituals of Hartalika Teej are followed with great devotion across India. Some of the key practices include:
- Women wake up early and take a sacred bath before sunrise.
- The house, especially the puja area, is cleaned and decorated.
- Idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are placed on a wooden plank, with a desi ghee diya lit beside them.
- Offerings include flowers, clothes, jewellery, and traditional shringar items for Goddess Parvati.
- Special dishes like rice kheer, suji halwa, poori, and aloo sabzi are prepared as bhog.
- Evening puja includes chanting mantras, reciting the vrat katha, and performing aarti.
- After sunset, the fast is broken with prasad, which is also distributed among family members.
- Women seek blessings from elders and in-laws by touching their feet.