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For married women and virgin girls in Sanatan Dharma Hartalika Teej The fast is considered to be the most difficult and extremely fruitful. This holy festival falling on the Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month is kept to wish for unbroken good fortune, marital happiness and getting the desired groom. On this day, women keep a 24-hour Nirjala (without food and water) fast and worship the sand idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Many times a question arises in the minds of fasting women regarding the starting and ending time of Tritiya Tithi whether the fast should be observed on 13th September or 14th September. According to the calculations of Panchang and the rules of Udayatithi, 14 September 2026 is the most scriptural day for fasting.
13 or 14 September: On which day will the fast of Hartalika Teej be observed?
According to the Vedic calendar, Tritiya Tithi of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha is starting on 13 September 2026 and will end on 14 September 2026.
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Rule of Udayatithi: In Hindu religion, the dates of festivals and fasts are determined on the basis of sunrise date (Udayatithi). Since Tritiya Tithi will exist at the time of sunrise on 14 September 2026 (Monday), hence Nirjala fast of Hartalika Teej will be observed only on Monday, 14 September 2026..
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Rituals before Ganesh Chaturthi: Hartalika Teej is always celebrated just a day before Ganesh Chaturthi. After keeping the fast on 14th September, Ganesh Sthapana and breaking of the fast will be done the next day on 15th September.
Hartalika Teej 2026: Auspicious time for puja
On the day of Hartalika Teej, worshiping both in the morning and Pradosh Kaal (time after sunset) has special significance.
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Morning puja time: From 06:05 am to 08:33 am.
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Pradosh Kaal (Evening) Puja Muhurat: From 06:28 pm to 08:45 pm.
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Night four-hour worship: Women who keep vigil throughout the night can perform Abhishek and Aarti of Shiva-Parvati in all four hours of the night.
Why did Mother Parvati observe this extremely difficult fast?
According to mythological belief, the fast of Hartalika Teej was first observed by Goddess Parvati, the mother of the world, to get Lord Shiva as her husband.
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Penance and resolution: Mother Parvati had considered Lord Bholenath as her husband in her heart since childhood. However, her father Parvatraj Himalaya wanted her to be married to Lord Vishnu.
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Abduction by friends: When Parvati ji came to know about this, she became extremely sad. Then her dear friends hid her in a cave in the dense forest so that her father could not force her to marry him unwantedly. ‘Harat’ means ‘abduction’ and ‘Alika’ means ‘friend’ – this fast got its name because of kidnapping by friends. ‘Hartalika Teej’ Fell.
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Waterless fasting and attainment of Shiva: In the dense forest, Mother Parvati gave up food and water and made Shivlinga from sand and performed rigorous penance on the day of Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya. Pleased with his unwavering devotion and penance, Lord Shiva appeared and gave him the boon of accepting Mother Parvati as his better half.
Complete worship method of Hartalika Teej
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Resolution and Preparation: On the day of the fast, wake up early in the morning at Brahma Muhurta, take bath, wear clean or new clothes (green, red or yellow) and take a pledge of fasting without water.
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Image making: Make idols of Lord Shiva, Mother Parvati and Lord Ganesha with your own hands from pure clay or river sand.
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Establishment of Outpost: Spread a red or yellow cloth on a clean platform, decorate the mandap with banana leaves and install the Kalash.
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Offering of wedding material: Offer 16 makeup items (bangles, bindi, vermillion, mehndi, chunari, kajal etc.) to Goddess Parvati.
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Abhishekam of Lord Shiva: Offer Ganga water, raw milk, belpatra, datura, hemp, white flowers and sacred thread to Lord Shiva.
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Story listening and aarti: Light incense sticks and recite or listen to the sacred fasting story of Hartalika Teej. Finally, perform Aarti of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Mother Gauri with camphor.
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Night vigil: Sleeping at night is prohibited during this fast. Women sing bhajans, kirtans and praise Shiva throughout the night.
Rules of Parana: When and how to break the fast?
Hartalika Teej is performed after sunrise on the next day i.e. Chaturthi Tithi.
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Next day in the morning, after taking bath, worship Shiva-Parvati again and offer food.
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Donate wedding material and food to any married Brahmin or elderly woman and touch their feet and seek blessings.
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After this, break the fast by consuming Prasad (cucumber, soaked gram, fruits or sweet dishes) and water offered to God.
The fast of Hartalika Teej brings the blessings of love, harmony and longevity in married life. Women who wish for an uninterrupted marriage can obtain the immense blessings of Bholenath and Mother Parvati by observing this fast on 14th September 2026 with full devotion, rituals and a pure heart.