HARITALIKA

Haritalika is the combination of two different words which literally means ‘to be taken away by one’s girl friend. Teej or Haritalika is befittingly also regarded as a big day for women to meeting their fellow female friends and have happy get-together festivities. It is interesting to note that women on this particular day usually move around in sizeable groups, enjoying the day, singing and visiting temples. In addition to this, the interesting custom of sending nicely prepared food items their friends and relatives on this day also remind us of the warm feelings and love goddess Parvati had had for her girl friends.

One important aspects of this festival is that of fasting in the name of Lord Shiva. According to Bhavishyettar Purana, those who fast on this day are sure to gain the good grace of God. Particularly,  unmarried Hindu girls are advised to fast on this day and worship Lord Shiva and his wife Parbati sincerely so that they may assured  to get husbands of their choice. This is one of the reasons why Nepalese women, all dressed in their best attire, go around Shiva temples on this day.

Yet another interesting aspect of this festival is to keep feeding one-self throughout the day so as to prepare for the fasting on the proceeding day. On the following day the fasting women spend most of their time singing and going round the temples without any noticeable sign of fatigue. The second day of the festival is the day for breaking the fasting. It comes with the beginning of another ceremonial worship of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed God of good luck. Worshipping Lord Ganesh on this day is to ensure fulfillment of all wishes believed to have been earned by the fasting women on the previous day.