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Indian Sanatan culture has a very rich and sacred tradition of festivals and events, which strengthen our family relationships and spiritual faith. The sacred occasion of ‘Hartalika Teej’ (Hartalika Teej 2026), the biggest festival of honeymoon, celebrated on the Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month, will be celebrated with devotion and gaiety in the entire country on 14 September 2026. This Nirjala fast is considered to be a symbol of the unbreakable and immortal conjugal love of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati as well as the harsh and unwavering penance performed by Mother Parvati to attain Bholenath. On this day, married women observe Nirjala fast with full devotion to pray for the long life, health, good fortune and happy family life of their husbands. On the other hand, unmarried girls also observe this difficult fast to get the desired groom and a good life partner. The biggest feature of this holy worship of Hartalika Teej is not only its waterless fasting or night vigil, but also the special natural and seasonal ingredients used in its worship method, which have deep significance from both religious and Ayurvedic point of view.
In the traditional and classical worship method of Hartalika Teej, there is a very ancient tradition of offering sixteen types of special leaves and some special flowers, which is followed with full devotion in different regions of the country. These leaves are not only used in the worship of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, but they are also used to beautifully decorate the puja pavilion, altar and phulare. Among the 16 types of sacred leaves which are considered mandatory in the worship of Teej, Belpatra, Tulsi, Jaatipatra, Sevantika, Bamboo Patra, Deodar Patra, Champa, Kaner, Agastya, Bhringraj, Dhatura leaves, Mango leaves, Ashoka Patra, Betel leaves, Banana leaves and Shami Patra are said to be prominently included. The importance of all these leaves is not limited to their number only, but each leaf has its own separate spiritual and mythological message. For example, Belpatra has a paramount place in the worship of Lord Shiva as it is believed to calm his mind, while Shami Patra is also an important part of the great tradition of Shiva worship. Similarly, green leaves of mango and banana are used to decorate the puja place and mandap in auspicious functions, which shows our deep connection with nature.
Along with leaves, it is considered equally essential to have some special flowers in the worship of Hartalika Teej, which are very dear to Mahadev and Mother Parvati. According to religious beliefs, Lord Shiva is very fond of Aak and Dhatura flowers and their fruits, hence Dhatura and Aak flowers are definitely offered to Lord Shiva during worship. On the contrary, there is a tradition of offering red hibiscus flower or fragrant rose to Goddess Parvati to please her. This whole combination symbolizes that every small and big thing growing in the lap of nature can become a medium to worship God. Apart from this, on the day of Hartalika Teej, married women especially offer ‘Solah Shringar’ material dedicated to Goddess Parvati. This suhaag box includes items like vermilion, red bindi, green-red bangles made of glass or lac, mehendi, suhaag pair, mahwar, kajal, comb, mirror and toe rings for the feet. By offering all these things to Goddess Parvati, women wish for their unbroken good fortune, happy married life and long life of their husband. After the puja is over, many families have a beautiful tradition of donating these suhaag items to a deserving Brahmin or a needy married woman.
The worship rituals of this holy fast of Hartalika Teej are completed with utmost rituals and rules. Worship on this day has special significance during Pradosh period. First of all, by bringing pure wet black soil or river sand with hands, very beautiful idols of Lord Shiva, Mother Parvati and Lord Ganesha or Shivalinga in the form of a body are made. After this, a new red or yellow colored cloth is spread on a clean platform and the idols of Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva are installed. A Kalash is established with rituals near the place of worship, which is equipped with water, betel nut, coin and mango leaves. After this, Roli, Akshat, sandalwood, sacred thread, mauli, incense, lamp, camphor, coconut, betel nut, betel leaf, fruits, various types of sweets and pure Panchamrit are offered to Lord Shiva. Belpatra and Dhatura are very dear to Lord Shiva, hence after his formal worship, all these things are dedicated to him. During this entire puja, there is a tradition of keeping vigil at night and singing bhajans and kirtans, so that by the grace of Mother Parvati and Bholenath, happiness, prosperity and health always reside in the homes and families of the fasting women.