Hartalika Teej fast story

॥ Shri Hartalika Teej fast story. 🌸⛰️

Story begins:

Lord Shiva says to Mother Parvati – O Parvati! Our marriage became possible as a result of the hard penance you performed on the Himalayan Mountains. Now let me tell you the story of that secret fast which is called 'Hartalika'.

In your previous life you were the daughter of Himalayaraj. Since childhood, your mind was focused on me (Mahadev) and you wanted to have me as your husband. To fulfill this wish of yours, you started severe penance on the banks of Ganga on the peak of the Himalayan Mountains. You performed penance by fasting for twelve years, eating leaves and later consuming only air. Your tenacity did not waver even in the harsh cold, torrential rains and scorching heat.

Seeing your harsh penance, your father Himalaya became very sad and worried. Meanwhile, one day Devarshi Narad came to your father. Narad ji said - "O Giriraj! I have come here on the request of Lord Vishnu. He is pleased with the penance of your daughter Parvati and wants to marry her." Himalayaraj was extremely pleased and he immediately fixed your marriage with Lord Vishnu.

When you got the news that your marriage has been fixed with Vishnu ji, you were very sad. You started sobbing in distress. When one of your friends saw you in this state, she asked the reason for the grief. You told - "Friend! I have chosen Mahadev as my husband by mind, words and deeds, but my father wants to marry me to Lord Vishnu. Now I have no other option but to sacrifice my life."

Your friend was very smart. She said, "There is no need to sacrifice your life. I will take you to a dense forest where your father cannot find you." You followed your friend's advice and went into the forest. When your father did not find you at home, he was very sad and started searching for you in all directions.

You found a cave on the bank of a river in the forest and started penance there again. Hasta Nakshatra was on the Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. That day you made my 'Shivlinga' from sand and worshiped me with all the rituals while fasting. You stayed awake the whole night and performed bhajans and kirtans. Pleased with your selfless devotion and penance, I appeared in that cave and asked you to ask for a boon. You prayed—"O Mahadev! If you are pleased with me, please accept me as your husband." I said 'Amen' and disappeared.

The next morning you immersed the puja material and started preparing to break the fast with your friend. At the same time your father Himalaya reached there. They searched for you in the forest, distraught. He requested you to return home and asked the reason for staying in the forest. You said firmly, "Father! I have done severe penance to get Mahadev as my husband. If you promise to marry me with Mahadev, only then will I go home."

Himalayaraj had to bow down to his daughter's stubbornness and devotion. He happily agreed to your request and solemnized our marriage according to all the rituals. Hey Parvati! This fast is called 'Hartalika' because your 'friend' had 'kidnapped' you and sent you to the forest. 'Harat' means to abduct and 'Aalika' means friend.

॥ Rules and worship method of Hartalika Teej fast. 📋👉

1. Fasting and Nirjala fast:This fast is observed completely Nirjala (without water). The fasting person should not consume water or food till Parana the next day.

2. Shiva-Shakti Puja:On this day, idols of Lord Shiva, Mother Parvati and Ganesh ji are made from sand or black soil.

3. Adornment material:Suhaag box is offered to Goddess Parvati, which contains material like bangles, vermilion, mehndi, bindi etc.

4. Night vigil:Sleeping is prohibited during this fast. One should stay awake the whole night and chant the hymns of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

5. Married and unmarried:Married women observe this fast for the long life of their husbands and unmarried girls to get a suitable groom.

6. Prohibition:Getting angry, lying or criticizing anyone is prohibited on this day. One should have pure thoughts in the mind.

॥ Importance and benefits of fasting. 🔱💎

• Unbroken good fortune:It is believed that the woman who observes this fast with full devotion, gets unbroken good fortune and the troubles of her married life go away.

• Blessings of Shiva-Shakti:This fast symbolizes the reunion of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, hence observing it brings spiritual progress and peace.

• Wish fulfillment:Just as the wish of Mother Parvati was fulfilled, similarly the girls observing this fast get the desired results.

• Freedom from troubles:According to the scriptures, once a woman starts this difficult fast, she gets the power to overcome the biggest problems of life.