Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Teej Fast

Hartalika Teej festival celebrates the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati performed a tough penance to marry Lord Shiva. She engaged herself in worshiping Lord Shiva by preparing a Shivalinga from the sand along the banks of holy river Ganges and in the lap of Himalayas. It is also said that she got extremely engaged in making shiv ling and doing solah sringar that she forget to drink the water. So here we can learn from Parvati Ji about dedication. 

Looking at her devotion, Lord Vishnu wanted to marry her, but her undying adoration for Lord Shiva took her to the dense forests, where she further immersed herself in the search of divine love. Her female companion gave her the advice to follow her devotion towards Lord Shiva to find him as a soul mate.

Hartalika Teej is celebrated in north India where women dress up, do solah sringar and offer prayers to Shiva and Parvati and also observe a fast on the festival.

This year it falls in the month of August. Hartalika Teej is celebrated a month after Hariyali teej and a day before Ganesh Chaturthi. and this fast is a rigorous one as it lasts for a whole day and women refrain from drinking water or eating anything. This fast is also known as "nijal" (without water) fast, where women are allowed to consume food only the next day. While most fasts allow drinking water and the consumption of fruits, etc, in this fast, women do not have even a single drop of water. This makes it extremely difficult as well especially if you are suffering from any health issues. It is best to stay away from fasting if your health does not permit it but even a healthy person can feel weak if they do not drink water for a long time.

SHIV &  PARVATI

According to me fast should be kept according to to your health and mood. Why I'm saying the mood is because there's no point of keeping the fast if you are not supposed to enjoy it. We should love what we do. If we do something happily it works on our favor. We should not force someone or our body to strictly follow something it's fine if you are not keeping the fast. But you can do other things during this day. Activities such as giving food/clothes to small children's or adults who need your help. You can go out and seek blessings of your elders by touching their feet.

some people might think about why one should touch someone's feet. so here is your answer - Touching the feet of elders is an age-old Indian tradition that is considered to be a mark of respect. This gesture can be seen in almost all Hindu families, both in India and abroad. In India, people touch the feet of their elder brothers, parents, grandparents, teachers, spiritual gurus and other senior citizens. Only the feet of elders and such respectable people are touched because all through their life, they have acquired a lot of knowledge, experience, and virtues, which prove to be extremely powerful and benefits for the ones who show them respect and seek their blessings.

The science behind touching the feet of elders

The act of padasparshan (touching the feet) has a profound scientific reason. The nerves in the human body, starting from our brain, spread all over our body and end at our fingertips and toes. While doing padasparshan, when the fingertips of your hand are joined to the feet of the opposite person, a closed circuit is established between the two immediately and the energies of your bodies are connected – your fingers and hands become the receptor of that energy, while the feet of the elder person become the giver of the energy. When the elder accepts this respect, their heart becomes filled with good thoughts and positive energy, which they give out through their hands and feet.

Puja/vrat vidhi for Teej? Hartalika Teej has some interesting rituals followed by vrat, idol-making, decoration the deities and place of worship, preparing traditional delicacies and offering bhog to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Hindu rituals are mostly performed during early morning time, which is known as Pratahkal. It is a common belief that the Pratahkal Hartalika puja muhurat is considered to be most auspicious to offer prayers to Goddess Parvati. -Making Beautiful sculptures of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha with sand and black soil.

- Beautifying and decorating the place of worship with flowers after placing banana leaves on the altar and then placing the handmade idols.

It’s fine if you can’t make idols. You can buy them from the market. I am having small shiv ling at my place I purchased it from the market so that I can keep it with myself. It’s more convenient to get it from the market itself and I do décor this tiny shiv ling with various decorative stuff and with some fresh flowers, of course, do not forget to keep one bel patra with shiv ling.

Interesting Teej Recipes : Halwa-puri and Gulab Jamun: Recently I’ve learned how to make gulab jamun trust me it’s very easy to make it takes hardly 45 mints. I feel you should give it a try if you have time.  Halwa puri is the easiest thing to make and I think everybody knows how easy it is. Generally, if I don’t have much time then I prefer halwa puri. It takes hardly half an hour for making.

And again it’s completely fine if you don’t have time you can simply buy sweets from the market. As it’ quite difficult to manage office work with home works. But if you are free then you should try to make these easy recipes.

Some Solah Shringar ideas for both married and unmarried ladies.

Steps: Solah Shringar

1.    Bindi 
2.    Sindoor/vermillion  (only for married ladies)

3.    Maang Tikka

4.    Anjana or Kajal

5.    Nath or Nose Ornament

6.    Haar or Necklace

7.    Earrings

8.    Mehendi

9.    Choodiyan or Bangles

10. Baajuband or Armlet

11. Aarsi & Haathphool

12. Hair Accessory

13. Payal & Anklets

14. Bichhua or Toe Ring:

·         Bichuas stands for toe rings which are made in either silver or gold. They are usually worn on the second toe and are significant of married life. In a lot of regions in India, this is also worn as a fashion accessory.

15. Itar or Scent (perfume)

16. The Bridal Dress or Shaadi ka Joda (only for married ladies) young girls can wear anything the want but try to wear red or green colors.

Beautiful songs and bhajan collection for Teej:

Shiv Amritwani