Why teej is celebrated

And the third day after the full moon night of every lunar month. Why do we celebrate Teej? Representational Photo: Getty Images. Related Latest News. Top Headlines. Like other Indian festivals, this festival too has an interesting story behind it. According to a spiritual legend, Goddess Parvati performed severe austerity along the banks of the river Ganga. She did this in order to have Lord Shiva as her husband.

However, being an ascetic, Lord Shiva did not know about her. Her father, Himalaya, was concerned on seeing her in this condition. So, at the suggestion of Maharishi Narad, he promised her hand in marriage to Lord Vishnu. Goddess Parvati told her friend about this who then decided to abduct her in order to save her from this marriage.

Goddess Parvati was taken to a thick forest where she performed penance and immersed herself in the adoration of Lord Shiva for many years. Finally, Lord Shiva took notice of her devotion. He appeared before her in his divine form and agreed to marry her. From that moment onwards, Goddess Parvati has been worshipped as Hartalika and Hartalika Teej is observed in memory of her devotion and penance. On the occasion of Teej Vrat, married and unmarried women observe fast for a peaceful married life and for a loving husband respectively.

Some women even observe Nirjala Vrata fasting without water. Women wake up early in the morning on the day of Hartalika Teej. They wear new clothes, adorn the best jewellery and receive various gifts from their parents and in-laws. These gifts, also known as Shrinjhara or Sindhare, include bangles, sindoor, traditional laheria dress, henna and even various sweets like ghewar. Women gather at a nearby temple or garden for puja.

They form a semi-circle while an idol of Goddess Parvati is placed in the middle. The Hartalika Puja begins with holy offerings of flowers, sweets and fruits while all the ladies narrate the holy Teej Katha together. Once the Hartalika Puja is over, women offer various holy items to Goddess Parvati and pray for her blessings.

Also, women have to light a mud diya that should be kept lit all night long. During the Teej Vrat, food is offered to young girls and brahmins as well. Apart from the northern states of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, the significance of Teej is understood and followed in Maharashtra as well as the southern parts of India.

They wear green clothes, golden bindis and green bangles too. Just like all other festivals, the teej festival brings people together and spreads the message of love. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. You can find out more by clicking this link. News Lifestyle Culture. Hartalika Teeja Explained: Why women celebrate monsoon festival Hartalika Teej with much fervour! Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc.

The holy custom of fasting is synonym to the Teej festival which is a tribute to the penance that Goddess Durga had to go through for years before Lord Shiva accepted her as his wife. The married ladies observe fast — they neither drink water, nor take food for the entire day.

In the evening, the women gather to hear the narration of this Katha and pray for good health of their husbands and husbands-to-be and a blissful married life. Teej Puja begins with the offerings of flowers and fruits to the goddess. Other important traditions of this festival include the lighting of an oil lamp throughout the day.

In some states, women bathe with red mud to purify themselves.