Haritalika Teej Puja Vidhi

Observed on the third day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (Bhadra Shukla Tritiya), Haritalika Teej is one of the most sacred fasts dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Uma-Maheshwar). Devotees observe this fast to invoke lifelong marital harmony, familial prosperity, good health, and the longevity of spouses.

According to the Shiva Mahapurana, Goddess Parvati performed intense austerities since childhood to attain Lord Shiva as her husband. When her father, King Himalaya, arranged her betrothal to Lord Vishnu upon the counsel of Sage Narada, Parvati’s close friends (sakhis) helped her flee into a secluded cave hidden deep within the forest. Because she was abducted and concealed by her companions, this holy fast came to be known as Haritalika (Harita = taken/abducted, Aalika = female friends). On Bhadra Shukla Tritiya, Parvati fashioned a Shivalinga from river sand, observed a waterless fast, and engaged in night-long worship. Pleased with her unconditional devotion, Lord Shiva appeared and accepted her as His divine consort.

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1. Rules for Consuming Dar (Dwitiya Night)

• Strict Midnight Cutoff: Dar must be consumed before 12:00 AM (midnight) on the eve of Tritiya (Dwitiya night). Eating past midnight is not sanctioned by the scriptures.
• Sattvic Nutrition: The food should be pure and nourishing (such as kheer, yogurt, ghee, fruits, milk, bananas, cucumbers, apples, and simple vegetable curries) to provide sustained, clean energy for the fast.
• Avoid Tamasic Food: Meat, fish, eggs, onions, garlic, and alcohol must be strictly eliminated starting the day before the fast.
• Celibacy (Brahmacharya): Devotees should maintain mental and physical celibacy starting from the eve of the fast.

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2. Fasting Rules for Special Circumstances

The scriptures provide compassionate and clear dispensations for every situation:

A. During Menstruation (Rajaswala)

• While physical bodily impurity occurs naturally during menstruation, the soul (Atman) and inner consciousness remain perpetually pure.
• Devotees may maintain the fast.
• Do not physically touch deities, sanctified pots, or puja items. Sit at a respectful distance and perform Manasik Puja (mental remembrance and meditation upon Shiva-Parvati).
• Listening to the sacred Katha and witnessing the worship conducted by others grants full spiritual benefits.

B. During Sutak or Jutho (Mourning / Birth Impurity)

• Fasting can be observed in spirit and diet.
• Do not visit public temples or touch religious idols directly. Practice silent chanting and mental prayer.

C. Pregnancy & Medical Conditions

• "Shareeramadyam khalu dharma sadhanam" — protecting the physical body is the foremost spiritual duty.
• Expectant mothers and individuals with chronic medical issues must not observe a waterless (Nirjala) fast.
• Observe a nourishing Phalahar Vrat by taking milk, fresh fruits, vegetables, and water to protect maternal and fetal well-being. The divine values sincere devotion over physical deprivation.

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3. Morning Routine & Sankalpa Procedure

1. Brahma Muhurta Bath: Rise before dawn. Bathe facing East or North using water infused with sesame (til) and amla paste.
2. Auspicious Attire: Don clean, festive red or bright auspicious garments representing Saubhagya.
3. Surya Arghya: Light a pure ghee lamp, chant the Gayatri Mantra, and offer fresh water in a copper vessel to the rising Sun facing East or North.
4. Altar Setup:
   • Sit on a clean mat facing East or North.
   • On your right side, establish Lord Ganesha, the sacred Kalash, and the Akhanda Diyo.
   • In front, place a pure metal plate containing the hand-crafted sand Shivalinga (or an idol/image of Uma-Maheshwar).
5. Sankalpa (Solemn Resolution): Take water, unbroken rice (akshata), sesame seeds, and kusha grass in your right hand, reciting your gotra, full name, and location:

Om Tatsat Adya Bhadrapada-mase Shukla-pakshe Tritiyayam Tithau (recite your Gotra and Name), Aham Mama Sakala Saubhagya-Vriddhi-Purvaka-Putra-Pautradi-Santati-Abhivriddhaye, Pati-Ayushya-Arogya-Praptyarthe, Shri-Uma-Maheshwara-Prityartham Haritalika-Vratamaham Karishye.

(Gently release the water near the sacred altar or kalash.)

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4. Uma-Maheshwar Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi

The primary puja is ideally performed in the afternoon (Aparahna), though morning worship is equally acceptable if schedule demands.

1. Invocation of Ganesha & Kalash

• Ganesha Puja: Chant Om Gam Ganapataye Namah and offer red flowers, durva grass, sandalwood, and modak/sweets to remove all obstacles.
• Kalash Puja: Chant Om Varunaya Namah to consecrate the pot with water, betel nut, coins, mango leaves, and a coconut.
• Deepa Puja: Chant Om Deepa Narayanaya Namah while honoring the sacred flame.

2. Dhyana & Avahana of Uma-Maheshwar

Fold hands and meditate upon the divine couple:

Dhyayennityam Mahesham Rajatagirinibham Charuchandravatamsam
Ratnakalpojjvalangam Parashumrigavarabhitihastam Prasannam।
Padmasinam Samantat Stutamamaraganairvyaghrakrittim Vasanam
Vishvadyam Vishwabijam Nikhilabhayaharam Panchavaktram Trinetram॥
Om Uma-Maheshwarabhyam Namah, Dhyanat Dhyanam Samarpayami.

3. Panchamrit Abhishek

Ceremoniously bathe the Shivalinga in the following sequence:

• Fresh Water: For external purification.
• Cow Milk: For vitality, longevity, and purity.
• Yogurt (Curd): For prosperity and domestic harmony.
• Cow Ghee: For radiance and spiritual strength.
• Honey: For sweetness of speech and good fortune.
• Sugar: For peace and tranquility.
• Shuddhodaka Snanam: Conclude by bathing with Ganga water and gently drying with a clean cloth (for sand Shivalingas, lightly sprinkle sacred drops).

4. Sacred Offerings to Lord Shiva

• Chandan & Akshata: Apply fragrant white sandalwood paste and offer unbroken white rice grains.
• Bilva Leaves: Offer whole, unblemished three-leaf Bilvapatra with the smooth surface placed facing the Shivalinga.
• Dhatura & Bhang: Present fresh dhatura fruit/flowers, bhang leaves, and white blossoms.
• Sacred Thread (Yajnopavita): Offer the holy thread to Lord Shiva.

5. Saubhagya Items to Goddess Parvati

Remembering Jagadjanani Parvati, offer all marks of marital auspiciousness:

• Vermilion (sindoor), sacred red thread (dhago/pote), red glass bangles, mehendi, mirror, comb, kajal, and auspicious red textiles (chunari).
• Red hibiscus flowers, abir, and kumkum.

6. Dhoop, Deep, Naivedya & Tambulam

• Light aromatic incense and pure ghee wicks.
• Present a lavish offering of seasonal fruits (bananas, apples, pomegranate), sweets, and cooked sattvic dishes.
• Offer water for achamana, followed by betel leaves with areca nuts (Tambula).

7. Aarti & Kshama Prarthana

Wave burning camphor or a five-wick lamp while singing the Shiva Aarti. At the conclusion, fold hands to ask for forgiveness for any inadvertent errors:

Avahanam Na Janami Na Janami Visarjanam।
Pujam Chaiva Na Janami Kshamasva Parameshvara॥
Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshvara।
Yatpujitam Maya Deva Paripurnam Tadastu Me॥

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5. Four Prahar Night Vigil (Ratri Jagaran)

In accordance with scriptural tradition, the night of Haritalika Teej is partitioned into four three-hour watches (Prahars):

• First Prahar (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM): Puja with fresh water, milk, and bilvapatra.
• Second Prahar (9:00 PM – Midnight): Puja with yogurt and continuous chanting of the Shiva Panchakshara Mantra (Om Namah Shivaya).
• Third Prahar (Midnight – 3:00 AM): Puja with ghee, fragrant substances, and sacred kirtans.
• Fourth Prahar (3:00 AM – 6:00 AM): Puja with honey, sugar, and pure water, followed by Mangala Aarti.

Spend the night engaged in sacred music, reciting the Shiva Tandava Stotram or Shiva Mahimna Stotram, discarding anger, pride, and petty thoughts.

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6. Paran & Concluding Rituals (Chaturthi Morning)

On the morning following the fast (Chaturthi), complete the final rituals to receive the full fruit of your penance:

1. Arghya to Sage Agastya & Lopamudra

To fulfill the fast and seek absolution for any unintentional flaws during worship, offering Arghya to Maharshi Agastya and his consort Lopamudra is essential.
In a consecrated water pitcher or copper vessel containing water, flowers, betel nut, and sandalwood, offer Arghya using the following mantras:

Maharshi Agastya Arghya Mantra:

Kasa-pushpa-pratikasham Vahni-maruta-sambhavam।
Mitra-varunayoh Putram Pranamami Ghatodbhavam॥
Om Agastyaya Namah, Idam Arghyam Samarpayami.

Mata Lopamudra Arghya Mantra:

Vidarbha-raja-tanayam Muni-bharyam Pativratam।
Lopamudram Namasyami Saubhagyam Dehi Me Sada॥
Om Lopamudrayai Namah, Idam Arghyam Samarpayami.

2. Purnapatra Dana & Dakshina

• Fill a clean vessel or plate with raw rice (Purnapatra), placing betel nuts, fruits, and dakshina on top, and solemnly present it to a revered priest or Guru.
• Invite daughters and younger sisters, applying auspicious tika and offering gifts, clothes, and blessings.

3. Visarjan & Breaking the Fast

• If a sand Shivalinga was fashioned, respectfully immerse it in a clean flowing stream or sacred body of water.
• Sip sanctified water infused with Tulsi leaves, followed by consuming sanctified fruit prasad to break the fast.
• Join the family in partaking of a wholesome, sattvic meal.

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Auspicious Note: Haritalika Teej is followed on the fourth day by Ganesh Chaturthi and on the fifth day by Rishi Panchami (the worship of the Saptarshis along with Arundhati), providing an exceptionally potent sequence of spiritual devotion.