Hartalika Teej Puja Vidhi: 14 Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaways

1.  Hartalika Teej falls on Tritiya (third day) of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). It is one of the most important vrats observed by Hindu women across Nepal and India.

2.  This puja is primarily observed by married women for the long life and wellbeing of their husbands, and by unmarried women to seek a good husband. The fast is traditionally observed from sunrise to the following morning.

3.  The three deities worshipped in Hartalika Teej Puja are Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Parvati. Clay idols of all three are made or arranged the evening before the puja.

4.  Listening to the Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha is mandatory. The puja is not considered complete without the narration or hearing of this sacred story.

5.  The fast ends the following morning after a brief puja and Moon worship on the night of Teej. The traditional Prasad for breaking the fast is soaked chickpeas (bhigo chana).

There is a story of a princess named Parvati who loved Lord Shiva so deeply that she refused every other suitor her father proposed, including Lord Vishnu himself.

Her father, Himalaya, was heartbroken. He could not understand why she would turn down such an offer. But Parvati knew only one truth: Shiva was who she was meant for.

So her friends took her away into the forest so she could perform tapasya in peace, away from her father's plans. That act of her friends taking her away is what gave this festival its name. Harat means to abduct, and alika means female friend. Hartalika: the festival of the friend who helped the Goddess follow her heart.

Today, millions of women across Nepal and India observe this vrat to honour that same devotion. Whether you are praying for a loving marriage, for the long life of your husband, or simply to deepen your connection with Goddess Parvati, this guide gives you everything you need to perform the puja correctly.

When Is Hartalika Teej?

Hartalika Teej falls on the Tritiya (third day) of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. In the Gregorian calendar, this usually falls in August or September.

Auspicious Timing (Shubh Muhurat)

The most auspicious time for performing Hartalika Teej Puja is in the morning, ideally during the Brahma Muhurta (approximately 4:00 to 6:00 AM) or at sunrise. If morning puja is not possible, Pradosh Kaal (early evening, around sunset) is the secondary auspicious time.

The Tritiya Tithi timing should be checked in the local Panchanga for your city each year. The puja should begin within the Tritiya Tithi whenever possible.

Who Observes Hartalika Teej?

•  Married women: Observe for the long life, health, and prosperity of their husbands

•  Unmarried women: Observe to receive the blessings of Goddess Parvati for a good and devoted husband

•  Widows: In some traditions, they may observe the vrat for spiritual merit and liberation

The festival is especially significant in Nepal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. In Nepal, Hartalika Teej is one of the most widely celebrated women's festivals of the year.

The Legend of Hartalika Teej

Goddess Parvati was born as the daughter of Himalaya (the Mountain King). From her childhood, she was devoted to Lord Shiva and determined to have him as her husband. She performed intense tapasya (penance) for years: standing on one foot in summer heat, sitting in cold water in winter, surviving on fallen leaves, and eventually on nothing at all.

Her father, seeing her devotion but worried about her future, arranged for her to marry Lord Vishnu, who was an excellent match by any worldly measure. Parvati was heartbroken. She did not want Vishnu. She wanted Shiva.

Parvati's devoted friends (sakhis) saw her distress and took her away to a forest where she could continue her tapasya in peace, away from her father's arrangements. In that forest, she fashioned a Shivling from sand and continued her penance with even greater intensity.

Lord Shiva, moved by her unwavering devotion, appeared before her and accepted her as his consort. Himalaya, when he learned of Shiva's blessing, also gave his full approval to the union.

On the night of Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya, Parvati and Shiva were united. That night became Hartalika Teej. Women who observe this vrat are said to receive the same blessings of devoted and eternal love that Goddess Parvati herself earned through her tapasya.

Puja Items Required (Hartalika Teej Samagri)

Gathering all samagri the evening before is recommended so the puja morning runs smoothly. Here is the complete list.

Puja Item (Samagri)	Purpose and Notes
Clay idols of Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha	Made from clean sand or clay the night before. The central deities of this puja.
Shivling (clay or stone)	For Abhishek and worship alongside the idols.
Gangajal or clean water	For purification and Abhishek.
Panchamrit	Milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar mixed together for ritual bathing.
Bilva leaves (Bel Patra)	Sacred to Lord Shiva. Unbroken leaves only.
Dhatura flower and fruit	Especially sacred to Shiva in this puja.
Aparajita flowers (blue)	Especially dear to Goddess Parvati.
Ketaki flowers	Traditionally offered in Hartalika Teej puja.
Sandalwood paste (Chandan)	For applying to all three deities.
Kumkum (vermilion) and Sindoor	Applied to Goddess Parvati. Sindoor offered from the devotee's own sindoor daan.
Turmeric (Haldi)	Used in preparing and decorating the idols.
Shringar items for Goddess Parvati	Bangles, bindi, kajal, kajal, necklace, earrings, toe rings. Offered one by one.
Mehendi (henna)	Traditional for women observing the fast.
Red or green saree or cloth	Offered to Goddess Parvati.
Dhoti or cloth for Lord Shiva	White or light-coloured cloth offered to Shiva.
Janeu (sacred thread)	Offered to Lord Shiva.
Betel leaves (12) and betel nuts (12)	Offered as Tambula.
Incense sticks and camphor	For Dhoop and Aarti.
Ghee lamp (diya)	For Aarti and Deepa offering.
Soaked chickpeas (bhigo chana)	Traditional Prasad for Hartalika Teej.
Fruits, sweets, and coconut	For Naivedya (food offering).
Akshat (rice grains mixed with turmeric)	Used throughout the puja for offerings.
Durva grass	Offered to Lord Ganesha.
Panchopachar items	Flowers, fruits, incense, lamp, and food for the five-step offering.
Mauli (red-yellow sacred thread)	Tied around wrists and offered to deities.

Fasting Rules for Hartalika Teej Vrat

The Hartalika Teej fast is one of the strictest vrats in the Hindu calendar. Here is what you need to know about the fasting rules.

Type of Fast	Details
Full nirjala fast (no food or water)	Most strict form. Observed by deeply devoted women. No food or water from sunrise to the next morning.
Phalahar fast (fruits only)	Fruits, milk, and dry fruits allowed during the day. Water permitted. Common and widely accepted.
Single meal fast	One sattvic meal allowed during the day. No grains, no salt in most traditions.
Breaking the fast	The fast is broken the next morning after Puja, Aarti, and offering arghya (water) to the Moon on the night of Teej.

Important Rules During the Fast

•  Do not sleep during the day while fasting. The night vigil (jaagran) is traditionally observed

•  Avoid using any items made from iron on this day

•  Avoid cutting nails or hair on the day of the vrat

•  Maintain a calm, devotional mindset throughout the day

•  Spend time singing devotional songs, listening to Katha, and chanting Shiva mantras

•  Avoid arguments, gossip, and negative speech

Hartalika Teej Puja Vidhi: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these 14 steps in sequence for the complete Hartalika Teej Puja. Steps 1 and 2 happen the evening before and early morning. The main puja begins from Step 3.

Step 1: Preparation the Evening Before (Tritiya Eve)

On the evening before Hartalika Teej, prepare the clay idols of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, and Lord Ganesha. If clay is not available, you can use readily available idols or images. Arrange all puja samagri neatly. Some women also take a ritual bath the previous evening and begin the Sankalp. Apply mehendi on hands the previous night if following the full tradition.

Step 2: Pre-Dawn Bath and Preparation (Chaturdashi Morning)

Wake up before sunrise. Take a ritual bath, ideally with a mixture of sesame seeds (til) and amla powder in the water. This bath carries purifying significance in the Hartalika tradition. Wear clean traditional clothes, preferably green, red, or yellow, these colours are considered auspicious for this festival. Apply all traditional shringar (makeup and ornaments) if you are a married woman observing the full vrat.

Step 3: Setting Up the Puja Space

Clean the puja room or area thoroughly. Spread a clean yellow or red cloth on a wooden platform (chowki). Place the clay idols or images of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Parvati on the platform. Decorate with flowers. Place the Shivling on a plate or yoni base. Arrange all samagri in front of the platform within reach. Draw rangoli around the puja space.

Step 4: Sankalp (Taking the Vow)

Sit facing north or east in front of the altar with folded hands. Hold water, flowers, and akshat (turmeric rice grains) in your cupped palms. State your name, your gotra, your husband's name, the date, and your intention: I am observing Hartalika Teej Vrat for the long life and wellbeing of my husband, for marital harmony, and for the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Release the water and flowers before the deities. This Sankalp is the spiritual foundation of the entire vrat.

Step 5: Ganesh Puja (Worship of Lord Ganesha First)

No Hindu puja begins without first honouring Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Apply Tilak to Ganesha with kumkum and akshat. Offer Durva grass (three blades tied together). Offer a flower, a piece of coconut, and any sweet. Chant: Om Gam Ganapataye Namah eleven times. Ask Ganesha to bless the puja and remove any obstacles from the ceremony.

Step 6: Abhishek of Lord Shiva (Ritual Bathing)

Pour Gangajal gently over the Shivling while chanting Om Namah Shivaya. Then pour Panchamrit (or milk) over the Shivling slowly. After Panchamrit, rinse the Shivling with clean water. This Abhishek is the most sacred act of the puja. In Hartalika Teej, simple sprinkling of Panchamrit on the idols is sufficient if full Abhishek pouring is not possible.

Step 7: Offering Cloth and Shringar to the Deities

Offer a white dhoti or white cloth to Lord Shiva. Offer a red or green saree or cloth to Goddess Parvati. Offer Janeu (sacred thread) to Lord Shiva. Then, one by one, offer all the shringar items to Goddess Parvati: sindoor, bangles, bindi, kajal, necklace, toe rings. When offering sindoor, apply it to Goddess Parvati the same number of times you wish to apply it to yourself (once, three, or five times). Remember the number, as you will apply it to yourself at the end of the puja.

Step 8: Gandha and Flowers (Sandalwood and Floral Offerings)

Apply sandalwood paste to all three deities. Offer bilva leaves and Dhatura flowers to Lord Shiva. Offer Aparajita (blue flowers), Ketaki flowers, Jasmine, and any fragrant flowers to Goddess Parvati. Offer whatever flowers are available to Lord Ganesha. Chant Om Namah Shivaya and Om Uma Mahe Shwaraya Namah while offering.

Step 9: Incense, Lamp, and Food Offerings

Light incense sticks and wave before all three deities. Light a ghee diya and wave it before the deities, ringing the bell. Offer fruits, soaked chickpeas, sweets, coconut, and any pure sattvic food as Naivedya. Offer betel leaves and betel nuts (Tambula). Chant Om Shivaya Namah, Naivedyam Samarpayami while offering food.

Step 10: Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha (Narration of the Sacred Story)

Listening to or reading the Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha is a mandatory part of this puja. The Katha narrates how Goddess Parvati performed intense tapasya (penance) in the forest after her friends (Sakhis) took her away so she could continue her devotion to Lord Shiva without being forced into an unwanted marriage. Her unwavering devotion and penance brought Lord Shiva to accept her as his consort. Hearing this Katha with full attention and devotion is considered essential for the puja to be complete.

Step 11: Aarti (Grand Closing Ceremony)

First perform Aarti of Lord Ganesha. Then perform Aarti of Lord Shiva. Finally perform Aarti of Goddess Parvati. Wave a camphor or ghee lamp in a circular motion before each deity while ringing the bell. Sing the Shiva Aarti (Om Jai Shiv Omkara) and the Parvati Aarti (Om Jai Parvati Mata). After Aarti, bow down fully (Sashtanga Pranam) before all three deities.

Step 12: Applying Sindoor and Completing Personal Shringar

After completing the puja and Aarti, apply sindoor to yourself the same number of times you applied it to Goddess Parvati. Put on all your traditional shringar (bangles, bindi, kajal) if you have not already. This act of completing your own shringar after honouring Parvati is a meaningful part of the Hartalika tradition, symbolising your identification with the Goddess and your prayers for a long and blessed married life.

Step 13: Moon Worship (Chandrama Arghya) at Night

On the night of Hartalika Teej, after the Moon has risen, go outside and offer Arghya (water) to the Moon. Hold a copper vessel filled with water and pour it slowly while looking at the Moon. Offer akshat, flowers, and sindoor to the Moon along with the water. This Moon worship is considered the final and essential act of the Hartalika Teej Vrat. Pray to the Moon as a witness to your devotion and vow.

Step 14: Breaking the Fast (Next Morning)

The fast is formally concluded the following morning after performing a brief puja of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati again. Offer water, a few flowers, and akshat to the deities. Take the blessings of elders in the family. Then consume the Prasad, which is traditionally soaked chickpeas along with fruits and other sattvic food. The fast should be broken only after completing these final prayers, not before.

Key Mantras for Hartalika Teej Puja

For Lord Ganesha

Ganesha Mantra: Om Gam Ganapataye Namah  |  Salutation to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles

Vakratunda Mahakaya: Vakratunda Mahakaya, Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva, Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada  |  O Lord with curved trunk and great body, radiant as a million suns, please grant me freedom from obstacles in all my endeavours always

For Lord Shiva

Panchakshara Mantra: Om Namah Shivaya  |  The five-syllable mantra: I bow to Shiva

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra: Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Muksheeya Maamritat  |  For health, longevity, and liberation. Chant 11 or 108 times

For Goddess Parvati

Parvati Mantra: Om Uma Maheshwaraya Namah  |  Salutation to Uma (Parvati) and Maheshwara (Shiva) together

Shakti Mantra: Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vicche Namah  |  Invoking the Shakti of the Goddess for strength and blessings

Saubhagya Mantra: Om Shree Mahadevyai Namah  |  Offered by women seeking marital blessings and husband's longevity

The Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha (Summary)

The full Vrat Katha is narrated during the puja. Here is the essential summary that captures the heart of the story.

In the previous age, Goddess Parvati took birth as the daughter of the mountain king Himalaya. From her earliest years, she was devoted entirely to Lord Shiva. She prayed, fasted, and performed tapasya with extraordinary dedication. Her determination never wavered even when her father arranged her marriage to Lord Vishnu.

Her devoted friends, seeing her heartbreak, helped her escape to a dense forest where she continued her penance. She made a Shivling from river sand and worshipped it with complete surrender. She neither ate nor drank. She meditated through blazing summers and freezing winters, standing on one foot and living on nothing but the name of Shiva.

On the Tritiya of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha, Lord Shiva himself appeared before her. Moved by her devotion, he accepted her as his eternal consort. He said: From this day, you are mine and I am yours. Their divine union was celebrated across all the realms.

When women observe the Hartalika Teej Vrat with the same sincerity and devotion that Goddess Parvati showed, they are promised the same blessings: a devoted husband, a long and happy married life, and the grace of both Shiva and Parvati in their home.

What to Offer to Goddess Parvati: The Shringar Items

Offering shringar to Goddess Parvati is one of the most distinctive and beloved parts of Hartalika Teej. Each item is offered one by one while chanting her name.

•  Sindoor (vermilion): The most important offering. Applied to the idol and then to oneself

•  Bindi: Offered and applied to Parvati's forehead

•  Bangles (chuda): Green, red, or gold bangles offered symbolically

•  Maang tika (forehead ornament)

•  Earrings (kundal)

•  Necklace (har or mangalsutra)

•  Kajal (kohl)

•  Payal (anklets)

•  Toe rings (bichhiya)

•  Mehendi (henna, symbolic offering)

•  Mirror and comb

After offering each item to the Goddess, the devotee applies the same item to herself, identifying herself with Parvati's divine energy and receiving her blessings for a long, beautiful, and blessed married life.

What Not to Do on Hartalika Teej

•  Do not sleep during the daytime of the vrat

•  Do not consume onion, garlic, or non-vegetarian food

•  Do not use iron utensils or iron items on this day in some regional traditions

•  Do not eat salt (in some traditions, saltless food is prescribed)

•  Do not cut hair or nails

•  Do not wash clothes on this day

•  Do not engage in quarrels, criticism, or negative speech

•  Do not break the vrat before performing Moon worship at night

•  Do not offer Tulsi leaves to Shiva (Tulsi is associated with Vishnu)

Benefits of Observing Hartalika Teej Vrat

•  Long life and good health for the husband

•  Marital harmony and a loving, devoted partnership

•  Blessings of Goddess Parvati for the entire family

•  Fulfilment of sincere wishes for unmarried women seeking a good husband

•  Removal of obstacles in the marriage life

•  Spiritual merit equal to performing major yajnas

•  Protection from widowhood in this and future lifetimes, according to the scriptures

•  Inner peace, strength of character, and spiritual progress

Hartalika Teej in Nepal

In Nepal, Hartalika Teej is one of the most important and widely celebrated women's festivals of the year. The celebrations in Nepal span three days and have distinct features unique to Nepali tradition.

The day before Teej is called Dar Khane Din, the day of feasting. Families come together for a grand feast the night before the fast begins, as women will not eat or drink the following day. This feast is a celebration in itself, with traditional foods, music, and family togetherness.

On Teej itself, women dress in bright red sarees, apply mehendi, wear green and red bangles, and gather at temples, particularly Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, to perform puja and offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The atmosphere at Pashupatinath on Hartalika Teej is extraordinary, with thousands of women singing traditional Teej songs, dancing in the temple courtyard, and offering their prayers together.

The third day is Rishi Panchami, when women perform a purification ritual and worship the Saptarishi (seven sages) to conclude the three-day celebration.

Conclusion

Hartalika Teej is not just a vrat. It is the story of a woman who knew what she wanted and refused to settle for anything less, even when the entire world told her she was wrong.

Goddess Parvati did not fast because she was afraid of something. She fasted because she loved completely. That is the energy this festival invites every woman to embody: not the energy of supplication, but of complete devotion. The kind of devotion that does not waver. The kind that eventually brings even Lord Shiva out of his meditation.

Observe this vrat with joy, with the full Vidhi, with the Katha, and with a heart that is genuinely present. Goddess Parvati is listening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hartalika Teej and why is it celebrated?

Hartalika Teej is a Hindu festival observed by women on the Tritiya (third day) of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. It celebrates the devotion of Goddess Parvati who performed intense tapasya in the forest to win Lord Shiva as her husband. The word Hartalika comes from Harat (to take away) and Alika (female friend), referring to Parvati's friends who took her to the forest so she could continue her penance freely. Married women observe the vrat for their husband's long life, and unmarried women observe it for a devoted husband.

Can unmarried women observe Hartalika Teej?

Yes. Unmarried women can and do observe Hartalika Teej to receive the blessings of Goddess Parvati for a good and devoted husband. The story of Parvati herself, who observed this vrat before her marriage, is the basis for this tradition. Unmarried women adjust the Sankalp to reflect their intention of seeking a suitable life partner with Parvati's blessings.

Is it necessary to fast without water (nirjala) on Hartalika Teej?

No. The nirjala (no food or water) fast is the strictest and most meritorious form, but it is not mandatory for everyone. Many women observe a Phalahar fast, which allows fruits, milk, and dry fruits during the day. Some observe a single sattvic meal fast. The sincerity of devotion matters more than the strictness of the fast. If health conditions prevent fasting, performing the puja with full devotion without fasting is still acceptable and meritorious.

What is the most important part of Hartalika Teej Puja?

Listening to or narrating the Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha is considered the most essential part of the puja. The Abhishek of Lord Shiva and the Shringar offering to Goddess Parvati are also particularly significant. The Moon worship (Chandrama Arghya) at night and the Sankalp taken at the beginning complete the full ritual. Without the Vrat Katha, the puja is not considered complete.

When is the fast broken on Hartalika Teej?

The fast is formally broken the following morning, after performing a brief puja of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The traditional Prasad for breaking the fast is soaked chickpeas (bhigo chana). Before eating, Arghya (water offering) must be given to the Moon on the night of Teej, and a final morning puja must be performed. The fast should not be broken before these steps are completed.

What flowers are offered to Goddess Parvati in this puja?

Aparajita (blue flowers) are especially dear to Goddess Parvati and are the most traditional offering in Hartalika Teej. Ketaki flowers, jasmine, white flowers, and any fragrant flowers are also offered. To Lord Shiva, Dhatura flowers and bilva leaves are the primary offering. Avoid offering Tulsi leaves to Shiva as Tulsi is associated with Lord Vishnu.

How is Hartalika Teej celebrated in Nepal?

In Nepal, Hartalika Teej is a three-day festival and one of the most important women's celebrations of the year. The day before Teej is Dar Khane Din, a grand family feast. On Teej itself, women dress in red sarees, apply mehendi, wear green and red bangles, and gather at temples, especially Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, for puja, singing, and dancing. The third day is Rishi Panchami, a purification ceremony. The celebrations at Pashupatinath on Teej are particularly spectacular, with thousands of women gathered in devotion.

Can Hartalika Teej Puja be performed at home without a priest?

Yes. Hartalika Teej Puja is traditionally performed at home by women themselves without a priest. The complete 14-step Vidhi in this guide gives you everything needed to perform the puja independently. Gather the samagri the evening before, prepare the clay idols or arrange images of Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha, and follow the steps with sincere devotion. Listening to the Vrat Katha from a book, audio recording, or a knowledgeable family member is sufficient if a priest is not available.

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