हरतालिका तीज

Hartalika Teej

Monday, 14 September 2026

Was 43 days ago

A strict nirjala fast for Shiva and Parvati, kept a day before Ganesh Chaturthi.

About Hartalika Teej

Hartalika Teej falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya. Married women keep it for their husbands' long life, and unmarried girls for a good husband.

It is one of the strictest fasts, with no food or water for a full day and night. Women make clay idols of Shiva and Parvati, worship them through the night, and break the fast the next morning.

How to celebrate

Keep the nirjala fast from sunrise until the next morning.
Make clay idols of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha and worship them in the evening.
Stay awake through the night singing bhajans.
Immerse the idols and break the fast the next morning.

The story

Parvati's father planned to marry her to Vishnu. Her friends carried her away to a forest, hence Harat (abducted) and Aalika (friend), where she worshipped Shiva and won him as her husband.

Questions

When is Hartalika Teej in 2026?

Hartalika Teej 2026 is on Monday, 14 September 2026. Shukla Tritiya tithi begins at 7:08 AM on Sunday 13 September and ends at 7:06 AM on Monday 14 September IST.

What does Hartalika mean?

Harat means to take away and Aalika means a friend. Parvati's friends took her to the forest to protect her vow.

When is the Hartalika Teej fast broken?

The next morning, after the final puja and immersion of the clay idols.