Festivals in India come in an array of colours, symbolizing varied customs and beliefs. Hartalika Teej is another such traditional festival. Mainly celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, it falls on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, which marks the Shukla Paksha Tritiya of the Bhadrapada month according to the Hindu calendar. This event, over which Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped, holds special importance for married women who keep a strict 24-hour fast sans food and water, praying for the longevity and well-being of their husbands. Unmarried women can also participate by praying for an ideal life partner. The festival is innately solemn with a set of mud statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati being made and homemade sweets offered to them. As Hartalika Teej falls on September 6, 2024, let us explore its cultural significance, the rituals of fasting, and some mouth-watering traditional recipes for the occasion.
Significance of Hartalika Teej
Hartalika Teej is steeped in spiritual significance. It is associated with the fable of Goddess Parvati's steadfast devotion towards Lord Shiva. According to a mythological story, Parvati's father intended to marry her to Lord Vishnu, but Parvati was deeply in love with Lord Shiva. It was in the forest that a friend took Parvati to save her from that unwanted marriage, where she observed strict penance to please Lord Shiva. Then, her hard work and devotion paid off when Shiva agreed to marry her. Hartalika Teej is observed by the married commemorating this woman who fast in honour of Goddess Parvati for the long life and happiness of their husbands. It is thus a very intense depiction of love and dedication pertaining to a marital relationship.
Fasting Rituals and Practices
Hartalika Teej incorporates staunch fasting. The women do not eat or drink even a drop for a complete 24 hours and break the fast only after puja rituals the following morning. Some of the customs that are prevalent with regard to this festival are mentioned below.
Fasting and Prayer: Fasting by women starts one day earlier, on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi. This involves the preparation of clay statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, which the women worship during the puja. Offerings are made in vermilion, flowers, and fruits.
Women take cow milk, bel patra, and dhatura flowers to perform puja, all of which are believed to be Lord Shiva's favorites. After the Aarti, women seek blessings for the long life and health of their husbands.
Homemade delicacies include halwa, poori, thekwa, and kheer, among other things prepared and offered as 'bhog' to the deities during the puja.
Breaking the Fast: The women break their fast after 24 hours by taking in the bhog prasad which includes poori, halwa, and fresh fruits.
Recipes to Prepare for Hartalika Teej
As food is the soul of celebration, herein are a few traditional recipes that you may prepare to celebrate Hartalika Teej:
Moong Dal Samosa
Moong dal samosas are just the evening snack required after one has fasted because it is light while being full of proteins. Crunchy dough full of dal filling made from moong dal, samosas add festivity to any occasion. Energy and flavour in one plate.
Poori Sabzi
Poori and aloo sabzi, no meal is complete without these during a festival. This humble yet tasty dish is prepared without onion or garlic to keep the sentiments of the fast intact and is served along with fruits as part of the prasad.
Nariyal Laddoo
Nariyal laddoos are made with coconut, khoya, and condensed milk. These are some of the favourite sweets during Hartalika Teej. They are prepared in a jiffy and are light and yummy, hence being a versatile festive treat.
Ghevar
Ghevar, a delicate and creamy, crunchy sweetmeat, is synonymous with the festivities of Teej. Prepared with ghee, sugar syrup, and dried fruits on top, this traditional sweet is such a favourite during the festival.
Sabudana Kheer
A fasting-friendly dish, sabudana kheer is prepared by sautéing soaked sabudana (tapioca pearls) in milk to which ghee and sugar are added. Light, sweet, and energy-packed, it is hence perfect for the people who keep the fast.