Hartalika Teej Katha In English: The story of Hartalika Teej, also known as the Hartalika Teej Katha, revolves around the deep devotion of Goddess Parvati towards Lord Shiva. It’s a tale of love, determination, and the power of devotion that led to the union of the divine couple.
The Story of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva
Once upon a time, in the beautiful kingdom of the Himalayas, there lived a king named Himavan. He and his queen were blessed with a daughter, whom they named Parvati. From a very young age, Parvati was deeply devoted to Lord Shiva, the ascetic god who resided in the mountains. She admired his wisdom, strength, and the calm aura that surrounded him.
Hartalika Teej Story I
Parvati grew up with the desire to marry Lord Shiva, but her parents, especially King Himavan, had other plans. They wished to marry her off to Lord Vishnu, another powerful deity who was considered a suitable match for their beloved daughter. Unaware of Parvati’s feelings, they began making arrangements for her marriage with Vishnu.
Parvati was distressed. She had dedicated her life to Lord Shiva and could not imagine being with anyone else. She prayed to Lord Shiva with unwavering devotion, performing severe penance (tapasya) in the hope that he would accept her as his consort.
Seeing her daughter’s distress, one of Parvati’s close friends decided to help her. She knew that if Parvati was married off to someone else, her heart would break. So, on the day of the proposed wedding with Lord Vishnu, Parvati’s friend secretly took her away to a dense forest.
In the solitude of the forest, away from all distractions, Parvati continued her penance with even greater intensity. She crafted a Shivalinga (a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva) from clay and worshipped it daily. She survived on nothing but the leaves that fell from the trees, and her devotion became stronger with each passing day.
Pleased by her deep devotion and relentless penance, Lord Shiva finally appeared before Parvati. He was moved by her love and determination. Overwhelmed with joy, Parvati bowed to him, and with great humility, expressed her desire to be his wife.
Lord Shiva, touched by her unwavering love and devotion, accepted Parvati as his consort. He assured her that they were destined to be together and blessed her with eternal happiness.
Meanwhile, back in the kingdom, King Himavan and the queen were anxious about their missing daughter. When they found her, they were relieved and delighted to learn that Lord Shiva himself had accepted Parvati as his wife. The marriage was solemnized with great pomp and grandeur, and Parvati was finally united with her true love, Lord Shiva.
The Significance of Hartalika Teej
The day on which Parvati was taken to the forest by her friend and Lord Shiva accepted her as his wife is celebrated as Hartalika Teej. The word “Hartalika” is derived from “Harit” (abduction) and “aalika” (female friend), signifying how Parvati was taken away by her friend to fulfill her heart’s desire.
Women observe this day with a fast, praying for the well-being of their husbands and for a long, happy married life. Unmarried girls also observe this fast, seeking a husband as devoted and loving as Lord Shiva.
The story of Hartalika Teej reminds us of the power of faith, devotion, and perseverance. It is a celebration of love, sacrifice, and the divine blessings that come with sincere prayers.
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