Fast of unbroken good fortune - Haritalika

On the Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month, fortunate women observe the fast of Haritalika i.e. Teej with great devotion and devotion to wish for their unbroken good fortune. This fast is observed by a large number of women in the states like eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Jharkhand etc. It is celebrated with different names in many other provinces of India also. In Himachal Pradesh it is called fast of birds. In this, clay toys are made and barley greens are grown. Which is floated in water the next day. In South India it is celebrated as Gauri Habba.

This fast is very difficult, because food, fruits and even water are prohibited in it. Most women do not even drink water for 24 hours. On the day of fast, in the morning before sunrise, in Brahma Bela, women eat Chura, curd or other sweets as per their tradition. Then the fast starts with sunrise. 
In the evening, after bathing, women listen to the story of Haritalika Vrat. She worships the idol of Lord Shiva, Parvati and Lord Ganesha as per the ritual or availability. There is a tradition of keeping vigil at night during this fast. They sing bhajans and kirtans the whole night.
मंत्र -
गौरी मे प्रीयतां नित्यं अघनाशाय मंगला ।
सौभाग्यायास्तु ललिता भवानी सर्वसिद्धये ।।

After taking bath in the morning, she takes suhaag from Gauri ji i.e. Parvati ji and donates food, suhaag items, clothes and fruits etc. as per her capacity..After this, the fast is broken after taking blessings from the elders at home.There is a story about this that Giri Nandini Uma had observed a fast to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Due to which she was also named Aparna.In this fast, Parvati ji's sacrifice, restraint, patience and single-mindedness in following the dharma of Pativrata have been highlighted. This story boosts the morale of women. 
The story is that Parvati ji remained fasting for years and did rigorous meditation. To get Shiva as her husband, she made a Shivalinga inside the cave of the mountain and performed rigorous worship. Lord Shiva was pleased and disappeared after promising to choose Parvati as his wife.In this way the love of Goddess Parvati won. This worship was successful on Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month and Hasta Nakshatra, that is why this fast is observed on this date.Women observe this fast of Teej for the long life of their husbands and unmarried girls to get the husband of their choice. Which is in our tradition. 'Aalibhirharita yasmat tasmat sa haritalika' Parvati ji was defeated by her friends. Therefore this fast was named Haritalika.    
This fast is fasting and waterless. Therefore, those fasting should pay special attention to the fact that at the time of Parana, they should consume food and water little by little. Because eating too much food suddenly can harm health.
शुभम भावतु 

(Writer is a renouned Astrologer, Vastu consultant & spritual healer. He is based in Pune. His nos are-9425006196,7574885030)