About Hartalika Teej
Hartalika Teej is observed on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. It recalls the story of Goddess Parvati, who undertook deep penance to have Lord Shiva as her husband. According to the tradition, her friends led her away to the forest so that she would not be married against her wish, and the name is often explained from "harit", taken away, and "aalika", friend. Shiva, moved by her devotion, accepted her, and the day honours her steadfastness and faith.
Many married women keep a nirjala fast, without food or water, praying for the long life and wellbeing of their husbands, while unmarried girls pray for a good partner. Women dress in festive clothes, apply mehendi and gather to worship clay or sand images of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha, often staying awake at night with songs and bhajans and listening to the Hartalika katha. In Karnataka, a closely related observance called Gowri Habba is celebrated just before Ganesh Chaturthi, and in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana many families perform Gowri pooja in the same season.
How it is observed
- Making clay or sand images of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha for worship
- Listening to the Hartalika Teej katha with family and friends
- Keeping a fast in the way that suits one's health and tradition
- Staying awake through the night with bhajans and songs
- Wearing festive clothes and applying mehendi
Hartalika Teej dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Friday, 6 September 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Tuesday, 26 August 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Monday, 14 September 2026 | Past |
| 2027 | Friday, 3 September 2027 | Next |
| 2028 | Tuesday, 22 August 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Tuesday, 11 September 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Saturday, 31 August 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated widely in: Uttar Pradesh Bihar Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Delhi Uttarakhand Andhra Pradesh Telangana Karnataka
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan
Hartalika Teej
Women keep a strict fast, often without water, and worship clay images of Shiva and Parvati through the night.
Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling
Haritalika Teej
Women in red gather at Shiva temples such as Pashupatinath, singing and dancing, and many keep a full fast.
Maharashtra
Hartalika
Women and girls worship sand or clay images of Parvati and Shiva and fast, on the day before Ganesh Chaturthi.
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
Gowri Habba, Swarna Gowri Vratam
Married women worship Goddess Gowri and exchange baagina (gifts), the day before Ganesha arrives.
A nirjala fast is demanding; anyone who is pregnant, elderly or unwell should check with a doctor and may choose a lighter fast.
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