Hartalika Teej 2024: Expert Shares Why Married Women Wear 16 Adornments

Hartalika Teej Vrat, one of the important festivals observed by the Hindus, is being celebrated on September 6 this year. At this festival, the married women wear new clothes and all 16 traditional ornaments. As per popular belief, the Hartalika Teej Vrat is believed to be incomplete without the ladies adorning themselves without 16 ornaments. Pandit Kalki Ram, an Ayodhya-based astrologer has talked about the significance behind it to the Local 18 Uttar Pradesh.

The astrologer said that according to Sanatana Dharma, married women wear 16 adornments after the wedding. He said that women’s jewellery is also considered a symbol of marriage and married women wear 16 adornments for the long life of their husband. According to the astrologer, the description of this can also be found in religious texts.

As per mythological beliefs, Goddess Parvati started the Hartalika Teej Vrat fast by wearing 16 adornments. Due to this, her married life always remained brimming with happiness. The 16 adornments include perfume, anklets, toe rings, gajra, earrings, wedding dresses and mehendi. These adornments also include the maang tikka, kajal, mangal sutra, bangles, armlets, waistbands, vermillion and bindi.

Hartalika Teej is observed on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the Shravana month in respect of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The fast is observed for the long life of the husband and a happy married life. The term Hartalika is derived from two words: Harat, meaning abduction, and Aalika meaning friend. It thus translates to abduction by friends. Teej refers to the Tritiya Tithi.

Goddess Parvati’s father wanted to marry her to Lord Vishnu, but she wished to tie the knot with Lord Shiva. To prevent this wedding with Lord Vishnu, Maa Parvati’s friends took her from the palace and hid her in the forest. There, by performing rigorous penance for many years, Goddess Parvati pleased Lord Shiva and eventually won him as her husband.

Rules for Hartalika Teej

Preparation: One day before the fast, the married ladies should consume only satvik food and make preparations for the Teej puja and Sargi.

Fasting: The Hartalika Teej fast is kept without consuming water or eating food or fruits. This fast continues from sunrise on Teej to sunrise on Chaturthi, totalling 24 hours.