Akhanda Saubhagya Vrat – Haritalika

On the Shukla Paksha Tritiya Tithi of the Bhadrapada month, married women observe the Haritalika, i.e., Teej Vrat, with great devotion and dedication for the wish of Akhanda Saubhagya (unbroken marital bliss). This vrat is widely performed by women in states like Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Jharkhand. In many other provinces of India, this festival is also celebrated under different names. In Himachal Pradesh, it is called Chidiyon ka Vrat, where clay toys are made and barley is sown. The greenery grown is immersed in water the next day. In South India, it is celebrated as Gauri Habba.

This vrat is considered very difficult because food, fruits, and even water are prohibited. Most women do not consume even water for 24 hours. On the day of the vrat, before sunrise in Brahma Bela, women according to their tradition eat Chooda-Dahi (flattened rice with curd) or other sweets. The vrat then begins with sunrise.

In the evening, after bathing and purification, women listen to the Haritalika Vrat Katha. With rituals, they worship Shiva, Parvati, and Lord Ganesha, either in idol form or in picture form if idols are not available. There is also a practice of night vigil in this vrat. All night long, devotional songs and bhajans are sung.

Mantra:

गौरी मे प्रीयतां नित्यं अघनाशाय मंगला।

सौभाग्यायास्तु ललिता भवानी सर्वसिद्धये।।

In the morning, after bathing, women seek Suhaag (symbols of marital bliss) from Gauri, i.e., Goddess Parvati, and according to their capacity, donate food, suhag items, clothes, and fruits, etc. After this, they take blessings from the elders of the house and complete the Paran (conclusion of the fast).

The story behind this vrat is that Giri Nandini Uma performed this vrat to obtain Lord Shiva as her husband, due to which she was also given the name Aparna.

This vrat highlights Parvati Ji’s sacrifice, discipline, patience, and steadfast adherence to Pativrata Dharma. This story uplifts the morale of women.

It is said that Parvati Ji performed severe penance without food for many years. To obtain Shiva as her husband, she built a Shivalinga inside a mountain cave and engaged in strict worship. Shiva Ji became pleased and promised to accept Parvati Ji as his wife, after which he disappeared.

Thus, the devotion of Devi Parvati triumphed. As this worship was successfully completed on Shukla Paksha Tritiya of Bhadrapada month under Hasta Nakshatra, this vrat is observed on this date.

Women perform this vrat for the long life of their husbands, while unmarried girls perform it for obtaining a suitable husband of their choice. According to tradition:

‘आलिभिर्हरिता यस्मात् तस्मात् सा हरितालिका’ – since Parvati Ji was taken away by her friends (Sakhis), the vrat came to be known as Haritalika.

This fast is Nirahar (without food) and Nirajal (without water). Therefore, those who perform it should take special care that at the time of Paran, food and water should be consumed little by little. Because suddenly consuming in excess can harm health. Shubham Bhavatu

(Dr Ashok Pandey,Spiritual Healer, Vastu Consultant and Astrologer Pune - +91-7574885030, +91-9425006196)