Ganpati Festival In Kokan

Ganpati Festival In Kokan

 Ganpati Festival in Konkani Style:-
              Almost every festival in Maharastrian calendar has been celebrated in Konkan with wide and extreme level. In that Dashera, Holi, Gupidapwa and Ganpati festival are prime attraction in Konkan region. Each and every family tends toward konkan during this Sep-Oct Festival season.

             I heard list time people took flights from Mumbai to Goa and came backward toward their own villages, during this time all railways, Gov buses, private travelers are full and on road traffic are busted.
During this time if you get and Konkan kanya train ticket then you will be treated as lucky lottery winner. I would rather say if you will get any train confirm ticket during this you will be feel like King… ;-p
To fulfill this requirement konkan railway with Indian railway introduced much special trains toward Konkan from every part of state.
           At villages each family tried to bring lord bappa to their home for 1 day to 11 days and they live this days with holi Arti, Bhajan, overnight programs and try to keep bappa Happy.

          There are more superstitions and believes in konkan regarding festivals and lords so we fulfill all required believes during this.  After five days some families bring Gauri to their home who is Ganpati’s mother some families bring Ridhi & Sidhi as Bappa’s brides.In some Malvan region when Gauri came to home they server non veg to her as “Prasad”

Ganesh Chaturthi (also known as Vināyaka Caturthi, Gaṇēśa Caturthī or Vināyaka Cavithi) is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the elephant-headed god, Ganesha.

Chaturthi (Hindi चतुर्थी) means "fourth day" or "fourth state". Celebrations are traditionally held on the fourth day of the first fortnight (Shukla Chaturthi) in the month of Bhaadrapada in the Hindu calendar, usually August or September in the Gregorian calendar.Badrapad corresponds to Virgo(simha/avani-tamil) in solar calendar. The festival generally lasts ten days, ending on the fourteenth day of the fortnight (Anant Chaturdashi).

The festival is celebrated by families at home, by people at their places of work and in public. The public celebration involves installing clay images of Ganesha in public pandals (temporary shrines) and group worship. At home, an appropriately-sized clay image is installed and worshipped with family and friends. At the end of the festival, the idols are immersed in a body of water such as a lake or pond.

It is celebrated throughout India, especially in Maharashtra, and telangana. There is a grand celebration in the state of Maharashtra by traditional instrument called dhol and tasha. It is also celebrated in the other parts of India such as Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Goa Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and other parts of western and southern India. Abroad, Ganesh Chaturthi is observed in the Terai region of Nepal and by the Hindu diaspora in the United States, Canada and Mauritius.

Festival:-
Public Preparations for the festival begins months ahead. These pandals are usually funded by local residents and are collected through fairs and workshops.The idol making in Maharashtra usually begins with"Padya pooja" or worshipping the feet of lord ganesh. The idols are brought to "pandals" or temporary structures usually 15-20 days before. At home the festival begins with the selection and installation of a clay murti (idol). , Families decorate a small, clean corner with flowers and other colourful items before installing the idol. . When the idol is installed, it and its shrine are decorated with flowers and other materials.

In preparation for the festival, artisans create clay models of Ganesha for sale. The idols range in size from 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) for homes to over 70 ft (21 m) for large community celebrations. The date for the festival is usually decided by the presence of chaturthi thithi. The festival is held during"Bhadrapada madyahanaa purvabaddha". If chaturthi thiti begins at night on previous day and gets over by morning on next day then the next day us observed as vinayaka chaturthi. In the consecration ceremony, a priest performs a Prana Pratishtha to invite Ganesha into the idol. This is followed by the 16-step Shodashopachara ritual, during which coconut, jaggery, modaks, durva (grass) and red flowers are offered to the murti. Throughout the ceremony, hymns from the Rigveda, the Ganapati Atharvashirsa, the Upanishads, and the Ganesha stotra (prayer) from the Narada Purana are chanted. Aartis are performed with friends and family, typically in the morning and evening.

Celebratrations:-
In India, Ganesh Chaturthi is primarily celebrated at home and in public by local community groups in the western states of Maharashtra and Goa and the southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

At home:-
In homes, families install small clay statues for worship during the festival. The idol is worshiped in the morning and evening with offerings of flowers, durva(strands of young grass), karanji and modaks.[7][8] The worship ends with the singing of an aarti in honour of Ganesha, other gods and saints. In Maharashtra the Marathi aarti "Sukhakarta Dukhaharta", composed by Samarth Ramdas in the 17th century, is sung. Family traditions differ about when to end the celebration. Domestic celebrations end after 1, 1 1⁄2, 3, 5, 7 or 11 days, when the idol is brought to a body of water (such as a lake, river or the sea) for immersion. Due to environmental concerns, a number of families now avoid bodies of water and let the clay statue dissolve in a container of water at home. After a few days, the clay is used in the home garden. In some cities a public, eco-friendly process is used for the immersion.

In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi is known as Chavath in Konkani and Parab or Parva ("auspicious celebration"); it begins on the third day of the lunar month of Bhadrapada. On this day Parvati and Shiva are worshiped by women, who fast.Instruments such as ghumots, cymbals and pakhavajs are played during the ceremonies. The harvest festival, Navyachi Pancham, is celebrated the next day; freshly-harvested paddy is brought home from the fields (or temples) and a puja is conducted. Communities who ordinarily eat seafood refrain from doing so during the festival.

In Karnataka the Gowri festival precedes Ganesh Chaturthi, and people across the state wish each other well. In Andhra Pradesh, Ganesha idols of clay (Matti Vinayakudu) and turmeric (Siddhi Vinayakudu) are usually worshiped at home with plaster of Paris idols. In Tamil Nadu the festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Pillayar Chaturthi, falls on the fourth day after the new moon in the month of Āvaṇi in the Tamil calendar. The idols are usually made of clay or papier-mâché, since plaster of Paris idols have been banned by the state government. Idols are also made of coconuts and other organic products. They are worshiped for several days in pandals, and immersed in the Bay of Bengal the following Sunday. In Kerala the festival is also known as Lamboodhara Piranalu, which falls in the month of Chingam. In Thiruvananthapuram a procession marches from the Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple to Shankumugham Beach, with tall statues of Ganesha made from organic items and milk immersed in the sea.

Foods:-
The primary sweet dish during the festival is modak (modak in Marathi and Konkani, modakam or kudumu in Telugu, modaka or kadubu in Kannada, kozhakatta or modakkam in Malayalam and kozhukattai or modagam in Tamil). A modak is a dumpling made from rice or wheat flour, stuffed with grated coconut, jaggery, dried fruits and other condiments and steamed or fried. Another popular sweet dish is the karanji (karjikai in Kannada), similar to modak in composition and taste but in a semicircular shape.This sweet meat is called Nevri in Goa and is synonymous with Ganesh festival amongst the Goans and the Konkani diaspora.

In Andhra Pradesh and Kerala modak, laddu, vundrallu (steamed, coarsely-ground rice-flour balls), panakam (a jaggery-, black pepper- and cardamom-flavored drink), vadapappu (soaked moong lentils) and chalividi (a cooked rice flour and jaggery mixture) are offered to Ganesha. These offerings are known as naivedya, and a plate of modak traditionally holds 21 pieces of the sweet. In Goa, modak and a Goan version of idli (sanna) is popular.

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Shri Krishna Janmashatami:Gokulashatami, Dahi-Handi Festival

Shri Krishna Janmashatami:Gokulashatami, Dahi-Handi Festival

 Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in India in the month of July or August. According to the Hindu calendar this religious festival is celebrated on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the 8th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadon.

Sri Krishna is considered as the one of the most powerful human incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. He was born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura. The sole objective of Sri Krishna's birth was to free the Earth from the evilness of demons. He played an important role in Mahabharata and propagated the theory of bhakti and good karma which are narrated deeply in the Bhagwat Geeta.

Sri Krishna was born in a prison in the custody of Kansa. Vasudev, His father immediately thought of his friend Nand and decided to hand over his child to him to save Krishna from the clutch of Kansa. Krishna grew up in Gokul and finally killed his uncle, King Kansa.

The actual celebration of Janmashtami takes place during the midnight as Sri Krishna is believed to be borned on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and violence of his uncle, Kansa. All over India this day is celebrated with devotional songs and dances, pujas, arti, blowing of the Conch and rocking the cradle of baby Sri Krishna.

The Janmashtami celebration of Mathura and Vrindavan, the places where Sri Krishna had spent his life, are very special. On this day temples and homes are wonderfully decorated and illuminated. Night long prayers are offered and religious mantras are sung in the temples.

Devotees, who observe fast on Janmashtami, should have only single meal a day before Janmashtami. On fasting day, devotees take Sankalpa to observe a day long fast and to break it on the next day when both Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi are over. Some devotees break the fast when either Rohini Nakshatra or Ashtami Tithi is over. Sankalpa is taken after finishing morning rituals and the day long fasting begins with Sankalpa.

The time to perform Krishna Puja is during Nishita Kala which is the midnight as per Vedic time-keeping. Devotees perform detailed ritualistic Puja during midnight and it involves all sixteen steps which are part of Shodashopachara (षोडशोपचार) Puja Vidhi. Please check Krishna Janmashtami Puja Vidhi which lists all Puja steps for Janmashtami along with Vedic Mantra to perform the Puja.

Fasting Rules on Krishna Janmashtami:-
No grains should be consumed during Janmashtami fasting until the fast is broken on next day after Sunrise. All rules followed during Ekadashi fasting should be followed during Janmashtami fasting also.

Parana which means breaking the fast should be done at an appropriate time. For Krishna Janmashtami fasting, Parana is done on next day after Sunrise when Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra are over. If Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra don't get over before Sunset then fast can be broken during day time when either Ashtami Tithi or Rohini Nakshatra is over. When neither Ashtami Tithi nor Rohini Nakshatra is over before Sunset or even Hindu Midnight (also known as Nishita Time) one should wait to get them over before breaking the fast.

Depending on end timing of Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra fasting on Krishna Janmashtami might continue for two complete days. Devotees who are not able to follow two days fasting might break the fast on next day after Sunrise. It has been suggested by Hindu religious text Dharmasindhu.

Krishna Janmashtami is also known as Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti and Sree Jayanthi.

Krishna was the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva. Based on scriptural details and astrological calculations, the date of Krishna's birth, known as Janmashtami, is 18 July 3228 BCE and he lived until 18 February 3102 BCE. Krishna belonged to the Vrishni clan of Yadavas from Mathura, and was the eighth son born to the princess Devaki and her husband Vasudeva.

Mathura (in present-day Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh) was the capital of the Yadavas, to which Krishna's parents Vasudeva and Devaki belonged. King Kansa, Devaki's brother, had ascended the throne by imprisoning his father, King Ugrasena. Afraid of a prophecy that predicted his death at the hands of Devaki's eighth son, Kansa had the couple locked in a prison cell. After Kansa killed the first six children, and Devaki's apparent miscarriage of the seventh (which was actually a secret transfer of the infant to Rohini as Balarama), Krishna was born.

Following the birth, Vishnu ordered Vasudeva to take Krishna to Gokul to Nanda and Yashoda, where he could live safely, away from his Uncle Kansa. Vasudeva took Krishna with him and crossed the Yamuna to reach Gokul. There, everyone was asleep; so he quietly kept him there and returned with Yashoda's daughter. Kansa, thinking her to be Devki's eight child, threw her on a stone. But she rose into the air and transformed into Yogmaya (who is Vishnu's helper) and warned Kansa about his death. Then, she disappeared.[10] Krishna grew up in Gokul with his brother, Balram. He then returned to Mathura and killed Kansa with the help of Balram.
Celebrations.

Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, worshipping Krishna and staying up until midnight, and offer prayers at special time when Krishna is believed to have been born. Images of Krishna's infancy are placed in swings and cradles in temples and homes. At midnight, devotees gather around for devotional songs, dance and exchange gifts. Some temples also conduct readings of the Hindu religious scripture Bhagavad Gita.

Janmaashtami or Gokulashtami, popularly known in Mumbai and Pune as Dahi Handi, is celebrated as an event which involves making a human pyramid and breaking an earthen pot (handi) filled with buttermilk (dahi), which is tied at a convenient height. The topmost person tries to break the handi by hitting it with a blunt object. When the handi breaks, the buttermilk is spilled over the entire group. This event is based on the legend of the child-god Krishna stealing butter. A participant in this festival is called a Govinda or Govinda pathak.

Many such Govinda pathaks compete with each other, especially for the prize money. These groups are called mandals or handis and they go around the local areas, attempting to break as many pots as possible every August. The event, since the 2000s, has gathered a political flavour, and it is common for political parties and rich community groups to offer prizes amounting to lakhs of rupees. Local celebrities and Bollywood actors also participate. Some of the popular handis are at Dadar, Lower Parel, Worli, Mazgaon, Lalbaug, Thane in Mumbai and Babu Genu, Mandai in Pune.[16] Cash and gifts are offered for Govinda troops to participate; for over 4,000 handis in Mumbai, 2,000 Govinda troops compete for the prizes.

The coastal state of Goa has been associated with the Yadavas.Known as Ahstam in Goa,celebrated with great zeal on family level as well as community levels,especially in the temples of Devaki Krishna(perhaps the only temple dedicated to Devaki in India) and Naroa,the ancient town of Kadambas.

How is Janmashtami Celebrated?
Where Vaishnava temples exist, festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the exact moment of the anniversary of Krishna’s appearance. Events include kirtan, singing the Lord’s name along with other devotees; and japa, private, more intimate prayer. Some devotees cook a feast of over one hundred dishes, while others perform drama and dance. Some clothe and decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. Incense burns, scriptures are read, and all but the young and the infirm fast all day. The deities are also bathed with a variety of auspicious liquids in a kind of ablution ceremony called abhisheka. Sometimes taking over two hours, this is performed with great pomp.

Finally, at midnight, priests pull apart the curtains to reveal the
freshly dressed deity of Krishna on a creatively festooned and colored
altar. The excitement builds, and a rousing kirtan ensues.

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Navratri : The Festival Of Nine Nights

Navratri : The Festival Of Nine Nights

Celebrating Navratri Festival:-
Navratri Festival is celebrated by Hindus with great devotion for 10 days. Idol of Goddess Durga is worshipped during Navratri. People stay awake the whole night during the nine days of Navratri and play Dandiya and Garba. This festival is celebrated by all Hindus and has special significance in Gujarati community.

 Festival of Navratri is full of lights, joy and festivity. Hindus celebrate this with devotion and enthusiasm throughout India. The celebration is carried on for ten days and the last four days are very important. Navratri means nine nights and so the tenth day Goddess Durga, who is worshipped throughout the nine days, is immersed in holy water after pooja. Each and everyday has its importance and meaning. People worship Goddess in three forms and try to enhance their physical, mental and spiritual practice in these nine days.

Navratri festival is celebrated twice a year, though the one that is celebrated in September or October is well-known and celebrated with extreme passion and fervour. Some Hindus believe that every night one form of Goddess is worshipped while some believe that three forms of Goddess are worshipped and they are the trinity of God. The celebration varies from one state to another although the dedication and devotion remains the same all over India.

Navratri Celebration and Fasting:-
    Some people eat only fruits and drink milk during the entire nine days and nights.

    Some eat meal one time a day and that meal should be satvik, which means vegetarian meal which is prepared without the use of onion and garlic.

    Fasting is not compulsory and even after few years if the devotee feels that he or she is not capable of continuing fast during Navratri, he or she can discontinue also.

    It is good to keep mind, body and thoughts pure during the time of Navratri.

    If possible try to light a Jyot in front of Goddess Durga's statue or at least a picture throughout the nine days and nights.

    Start the prayers with praying for Lord Ganesha and then perform aarti in front of Goddess Durga.

    Men do not shave or cut their hair during this period.

    People do not wear black clothes during this period and avoid keeping leather goods with them.

    People worship young girls and feed them with sweets and different types of traditional and delicious food items. They consider them as form of Goddess Durga.

    Since it is believed that Goddess is fond of red flowers and red colour, women and young girls prefer wearing clothes in red and yellow colour.

    Fasting commences on the ninth night of Navratri.

 people pray to Goddess Durga to destroy the evil during Navratri. They ask help and strength from the Goddess to fight against the evil and protect the Hindu dharma. In West Bengal, men and women celebrate Navratri festival as Durga Pooja and worship huge idols of Goddess Durga. In Gujarat people perform traditional dance which is known as Garba almost throughout the night. They wear colourful dresses and mostly Indian traditional dresses are preferred.

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated after Holi and during Chaitra Shukla Paksha. This starts from the first day and ends on the ninth day which is also celebrated as Ram Navmi. The worship of Goddess on the eighth day is very important and auspicious and is significant in both Navratri festivals.

Dussehra or Navratri is also celebrated as Lord Rama's victory over the Demon king Ravana. He was the ten headed king of Lanka and had kidnapped Rama's wife, Sita. The main objective is, however, to celebrate the victory of good over the evil.

Navratri - Navratri, literally interpreted as 'nine nights' is the most celebrated Hindu festival devoted to Goddess Durga symbolizing purity and power or 'shakti'. Navratri festival combines ritualistic puja and fasting and is accompanied by resplendent celebrations for nine consecutive days and nights. Navratri in India follows the lunar calendar and is celebrated in March/April as Chaitra Navratri and in September/October as Sharad Navratri.

During Navratri, people from villages and cities gather to perform 'puja' on small shrines representing different aspects of Goddess Durga, including Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. Chanting of mantras and renditions of bhajans and folk songs usually accompany the puja rituals for nine consecutive days of Navratri.

Navratri Celebrations:-
Defining both the religious and cultural themes, Navratri celebrations are seeped in traditional music and dance. Gujarat is the focus of Navratri celebrations with all night-long dance and festivities. 'Garba' is a devotional dance form that derives from the folklore of Lord Krishna singing and dancing with the gopis using 'dandiya' or slim wooden sticks. 'Raas Garba' has also evolved to include steps like 'Dodhiyu', 'Trikoniya', 'Lehree' and several others. What's more, with time, Navratri festival has seen changes in celebrations with well-choreographed dance performances, high-end acoustics and people dressed in made-to-order, bright costumes. Tourists flock to Vadodara in Gujarat to enjoy a mix of high-energy band music performances, singing and dancing.

Navratri in India witnesses myriad forms of devotion across the country while retaining the common underlying theme of good over evil. In Jammu, the Vaishno Devi shrine sees a huge rise in the number of devotees making their way to the pilgrimage during Navratri. In Himachal Pradesh, the Navratri Mela marks the auspicious occasion of Navratri. In West Bengal, men and women celebrate 'Durga Puja' with great devotion and reverence and worship Goddess Durga destroying the demon 'Mahishasura'. 'Ramlila', wherein people enact scenes from Ramayana is performed in big grounds. 'Dussehra' which coincides with the tenth day of Ashwin (Sharad) Navratri sees nation-wide celebration.

In South India, during Navratri, people arrange idols in a step pattern and invoke the name of God. In Mysore, the nine-day Navratri festival coincides with 'Dasara' Festival involving folk music renditions and dance performances, wrestling tournaments and tableau participation. The procession of tableaux along with embellished elephants, camels and horses starting from the brightly-lit Mysore Palace is a famous one. 'Vijayadashami' is also an auspicious day in South India for performing puja for one's vehicle.

The festival of Navratri (nav = nine and ratri = nights) lasts for 9 days with three days each devoted to worship of Maa Durga, the Goddess of Valor, Ma Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Maa Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. During the nine days of Navratri, feasting and fasting take precedence over all normal daily activities amongst the Hindus. Evenings give rise to the religious dances in order to worship Goddess Durga Maa.

The 9 nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwina of the bright fortnight. Seeds are sown, sprouting is watched, the planets are consecrated, and on the 8th and 9th days, Goddess Durga, Vijayashtami and Mahanavami are worshipped. The Devi Mahatmya and other texts invoking the Goddess who vanquished demons are cited.

Mahanavami:-
The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped.
The holy festival of Navaratri is an amalgamation of various themes, with the common theme of the victory of good over evil. According to some legends, Vijayadashami or Dusshera is celebrated on the day Lord Ram kills Ravana. Demon king Mahishasura had Lord Brahma's boon that, he would be unconquerable by any male form. According to a Puranic legend, the mighty demon defeated the gods and their king, Indri. They then approached Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, who decided to destroy the demon. So they all combined their energies, and gave rise to Shakti and appealed to Goddess Durga to come to their aid.

MataVaishnodevi, Mata Vaishnodevi, Mata Vaishno Devi,Equipped with lethal weapons and riding a ferocious lion, the Goddess in all her awesome majesty, destroyed the evil one without much ado. The 10th day, on which the goddess kills Mahishasura, is celebrated as Dusshera or Vijayadashami as the victory of good over evil. Dusshera (tenth day) is one of the significant Hindu festivals, celebrated with pomp and fervour all over the country.

On the tenth day, the Vijayadasmi day, colossal effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnadh are placed in vast open spaces. Rama, accompanied by Sita and his brother Lakshmana, arrive and shoot arrows of fire at these effigies. The result is a deafening blast, enhanced by slogans of triumph. In burning the effigies the people are asked to burn the evil within them, and thus follow the path of virtue and honesty. On this day in the famous Ramleela grounds in Delhi, huge effigies of the ten-headed demon king Ravana, Meghanath, his son, and Kumbhakarna, his brother, stuffed with explosive materials are torched by an arrow to symbolize the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

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Hartalika Vrat : A Women Special Fasting Festival

Hartalika Vrat : A Women Special Fasting Festival

Hartalika Vrat and Puja Vidhi:-About Hartalika Vrat:-
Hartalika Teej is known by this name due to the legend associated with it. Hartalika word is combination of "Harat" and "Aalika" which means "abduction" and "female friend" respectively. According to the legend of Hartalika Teej, the friend of Goddess Parvati took her to the thick forest so that her father can't marry her to Lord Vishnu against her wish.

On the sudden disappearance of Goddess Parvati, her father thought that someone has kidnaped his daughter. Hence this day is known as Hartalika or Haritalika.

As legend goes, Goddess Parvati did severe penance in the forest to please Lord Shiva. Due to great determination of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva blessed her that her wish to marry Him would be fulfilled. As friend of Goddess Parvati helped her to get Lord Shiva as her husband, this day is also marked as the solidarity of friendship among female friends.

Hartalika Teej Vrat is observed during Shukla Paksha Tritiya of Bhadrapada month. On this day, makeshift statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are made with the sand and worshipped for marital bliss and progeny.

Puja Vidhi:-
The morning time is considered good to perform Hartalika Puja. If morning Puja is not possible due to some reason then Pradosh time is also considered good to perform Shiva-Parvati Puja. Teej Puja should be done after taking early bath and getting dressed up with fine clothes. Sand made Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati should be worshipped and legend of Hartalika should be narrated during the Puja.

Religious text Vratraj gives detailed Vidhi to perform Hartalika Puja. Generally, Hartalika Teej is considered to be females only festival. However, nowhere in Vratraj it is mentioned that it is female only Puja. The main Puja steps given in Vratraj are as following –

    Early morning bath with Sesame and Amalak (आमलक) powder
    Dressing up with fine clothes
    Sankalp to perform Hartalika Vrat to please Uma-Maheshwar
    Worship Lord Ganesh before worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess   Parvati.
    Shodashopachara Pooja of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
    Anga Puja for Goddess Parvati

Hartalika Teej is a Hindu fasting observed by Hindu women. It is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Hartalika Teej falls on the third day of the first fortnight of the month of ‘Bhadra’. The festival continues three days and is celebrated by women in honor of Parvati Ma. It is one of three Teej festivals and most popularly celebrated in the Northern and western parts of India. The festival of Hartalika Teez is mainly carried on in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and is some parts of Maharashtra.

According to Hindu mythology Parvati was in love with Shiva. Being an ascetic Lord shiva was not aware of her. Parvati performed penance on the Himalayas for many years and finally Shiva took notice of her. Then Lord shiva came to know about her love and devotion towards him and agreed to marry her. Since then Parvati has been worshipped as Haritalika.

Unmarried girls keep the fast and pray to Goddesses Parvati in hope to get good husbands. Hartalika Teej Vrat is observed by both married and unmarried women. Married women keep the Vrat in order to achieve happy and peaceful married life. Married ladies come back to their parent’s home to celebrate the festival. Some even maintain nirjala vrata (without water) on these three days and refrain from sleep all the three days. This is symbolic of the penance which Goddesses Parvati undertook to get Shiva as her husband. During the Vrat food is being offered to Brahmins and young girls.

Hartalika Teej is also the time to adorn oneself with new clothes and jewelry. In Maharashtra women wear green clothes, green bangles, golden bindis and kajal for luck. Applying mehndi on hands and feet is one of the unique features of Hartalike Teej celebrations. They offer fresh fruits and green vegetables to the goddesses and beautifully painted coconut to their female relatives. After the rituals get over women take a feast of rice patolis and jaggery steamed in banana leaves, mixed vegetables cooked with spices and coconut milk, a sweet made from coconut milk and rice. Tender coconut water is taken as a treat of the day.

There are several regional variations of this Hartalike Teej Vrat but the purpose of observing it remains the same. Two other Teej Vrats are Hariyali Teej and Kajari Teej but Hartalike Teej is the most important. For performing the puja women gather at a nearby temple or a garden. A semi-circle is created and an idol of Goddess Parvati is kept in the middle. The main puja begins with holy offerings of flowers, fruits, sweets and coins. A pujarin or all the ladies together narrate the holy Teej Katha. Young girls also sit and listen to the katha. While listening to the holy katha women should put their mind and thoughts towards their soul mate. After the puja gets over women offer flowers, fruits and many other holy items to Goddesses Parvati and seek her blessings for marital bliss. Another important part of the puja is oil lamp that needs to keep alight throughout the night and if it dies away it is considered to be a bad omen. At some places after paying homage to Goddess Parvati, women take a bath with red mud found on the roots of sacred Datiwan bush. This is a act of purification that is believed to absolve women for all accumulated sins after this holy bath.

भाद्रपद मास के शुक्ल पक्ष की तृतीया तिथि को मनाया जाने वाले हरतालिका तीज व्रत की कथा इस प्रकार से है-
हरतालिका तीज व्रत (Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha in Hindi):-
लिंग पुराण की एक कथा के अनुसार मां पार्वती ने अपने पूर्व जन्म में भगवान शंकर को पति रूप में प्राप्त करने के लिए हिमालय पर गंगा के तट पर अपनी बाल्यावस्था में अधोमुखी होकर घोर तप किया। इस दौरान उन्होंने अन्न का सेवन नहीं किया। काफी समय सूखे पत्ते चबाकर काटी और फिर कई वर्षों तक उन्होंने केवल हवा पीकर ही व्यतीत किया। माता पार्वती की यह स्थिति देखकर उनके पिता अत्यंत दुखी थे।

इसी दौरान एक दिन महर्षि नारद भगवान विष्णु की ओर से पार्वती जी के विवाह का प्रस्ताव लेकर मां पार्वती के पिता के पास पहुंचे, जिसे उन्होंने सहर्ष ही स्वीकार कर लिया। पिता ने जब मां पार्वती को उनके विवाह की बात बतलाई तो वह बहुत दुखी हो गई और जोर-जोर से विलाप करने लगी। फिर एक सखी के पूछने पर माता ने उसे बताया कि वह यह कठोर व्रत भगवान शिव को पति रूप में प्राप्त करने के लिए कर रही हैं जबकि उनके पिता उनका विवाह विष्णु से कराना चाहते हैं। तब सहेली की सलाह पर माता पार्वती घने वन में चली गई और वहां एक गुफा में जाकर भगवान शिव की आराधना में लीन हो गई। (पार्वती जी के बारें में अधिक जानें: महाशक्ति माता पार्वती )

भाद्रपद तृतीया शुक्ल के दिन हस्त नक्षत्र को माता पार्वती ने रेत से शिवलिंग का निर्माण किया और भोलेनाथ की स्तुति में लीन होकर रात्रि जागरण किया। तब माता के इस कठोर तपस्या से प्रसन्न होकर भगवान शिव ने उन्हें दर्शन दिए और इच्छानुसार उनको अपनी पत्नी के रूप में स्वीकार कर लिया।

मान्यता है कि इस दिन जो महिलाएं विधि-विधानपूर्वक और पूर्ण निष्ठा से इस व्रत को करती हैं, वह अपने मन के अनुरूप पति को प्राप्त करती हैं। साथ ही यह पर्व दांपत्य जीवन में खुशी बरकरार रखने के उद्देश्य से भी मनाया जाता है। उत्तर भारत के कई राज्यों में इस दिन मेहंदी लगाने और झुला-झूलने की प्रथा है।

अथ हरतालिका (तीज) पूजन विधि Hartalika Teej Vrat 
हरतालिका (तीज) 

हरतालिका (तीज) व्रत धारण करने वाली स्त्रियां भादो महीने की शुक्ल पक्ष की तृतीया के दिन ब्रह्‌म मुहूर्त में जागें, नित्य कर्मों से निवृत्त होकर, उसके पश्चात तिल तथा आंवला के चूर्ण के साथ स्नान करें फिर पवित्र स्थान में आटे से चौक पूर कर केले का मण्डप बनाकर शिव पार्वती की पार्थिव-प्रतिमा (मिट्‌टी की मूर्ति) बनाकर स्थापित करें। तत्पश्चात नवीन वस्त्र धारण करके आसन पर पूर्वाभिमुख बैठकर देशकालादि के उच्चारण के साथ हाथ में जल लेकर संकल्प करें कि मैं आज तीज के दिन शिव पार्वती का पूजन करूंगी इसके अनन्तर ''श्री गणेशाय नमः'' उच्चारण करते हुए गणेश जी का पूजन करें। ''कलशाभ्यो नमः'' से वरुणादि देवों का आवाहन करके कलश पूजन करें। चन्दनादि समर्पण करें, कलशमुद्रा दिखावें घन्टा बजावें जिससे राक्षस भाग जायं और देवताओं का शुभागमन हो, गन्ध अक्षतादि द्वारा घंटा को नमस्कार करें, दीपक को नमस्कार कर पुष्पाक्षतादि से पूजन करें, हाथ में जल लेकर पूजन सामग्री तथा अपने ऊपर जल छिड़कें। इन्द्र आदि अष्ट लोकपालों का आवाहन एवं पूजन करें, इसके बाद अर्ध्य, पाद्य, गंगा-जल से आचमन करायें। शंकर-पार्वती को गंगाजल, दूध, मधु, दधि और घृत से स्नान कराकर फिर शुद्ध जल से स्नान करावें। इसके उपरान्त हरेक वस्तु अर्पण के लिए 'ओउम नमः शिवाय' कहती जाय और पूजन करें। अक्षत, पुष्प, धूप तथा दीपक दिखावें। फिर नैवेद्य चढ ाकर आचमन करावें, अनन्तर हाथों के लिए उबटन अर्पण करें। इस प्रकार के पंचोपचार पूजन से श्री शिव हरितालिका की प्रसन्नता के लिए ही कथन करें। फिर उत्तर की ओर निर्माल्य का विसर्जन करके श्री शिव हरितालिका की जयजयकार महा-अभिषेक करें। इसके बाद सुन्दर वस्त्र समर्पण करें, यज्ञोपवीत धारण करावें। चन्दन अर्पित करें, अक्षत चढ ावें। सप्तधान्य समर्पण करें। हल्दी चढ़ावें, कुंकुम मांगलिक सिन्दूर आदि अर्पण करें। ताड पत्र (भोजपत्र) कंठ माला आदि समर्पण करें। सुगन्धित पुष्प अर्पण करें, धूप देवें, दीप दिखावें, नैवेद्य चढ ावें। फिर मध्य में जल से हाथ धुलाने के लिए जल छोड ें और चन्दन लगावें। नारियल तथा ऋतु फल अर्पण करें। ताम्बूल (सुपारी) चढ ावें। दक्षिणा द्रव्य चढ ावें। भूषणादि चढ ावें। फिर दीपारती उतारें। कपूर की आरती करें। पुष्पांजलि चढ ावें। इसके बाद परिक्रमा करें। और 'ओउम नमः शिवाय' इस मंत्र से नमस्कार करें। फिर तीन अर्ध्य देवें। इसके बाद संकल्प द्वारा ब्राह्‌मण आचार्य का वायन वस्त्रादि द्वारा पूजन करें। पूजा के पश्चात अन्न, वस्त्र, फल दक्षिणा युक्तपात्र हरितालिका देवता के प्रसन्नार्थ ब्राह्‌मण को दान करें उसमें 'न मम' कहना आवश्यक है, इससे देवता प्रसन्न होते हैं। दान लेने वाला संकल्प लेकर वस्तुओं के ग्रहण करने की स्वीकृति देवे, इसके बाद विसर्जन करें। विसर्जन में अक्षत एवं जल छिड कें। 
अथ हरतालिका व्रत कथा 
सूतजी बोले- जिल श्री पार्वतीजी के घुंघराले केश कल्पवृक्ष के फूलों से ढंके हुए हैं और जो सुन्दर एवं नये वस्त्रों को धारण करने वाली हैं तथा कपालों की माला से जिसका मस्तक शोभायमान है और दिगम्बर रूपधारी शंकर भगवान हैं उनको नमस्कार हो। कैलाश पर्वत की सुन्दर विशाल चोटी पर विराजमान भगवान शंकर से गौरी जी ने पूछा - हे प्रभो! आप मुझे गुप्त से गुप्त किसी व्रत की कथा सुनाइये। हे स्वामिन! यदि आप मुझ पर प्रसन्न हैं तो ऐसा व्रत बताने की कृपा करें जो सभी धर्मों का सार हो और जिसके करने में थोड़ा परिश्रम हो और फल भी विशेष प्राप्त हो जाय। यह भी बताने की कृपा करें कि मैं आपकी पत्नी किस व्रत के प्रभाव से हुई हूं। हे जगत के स्वामिन! आदि मध्य अन्त से रहित हैं आप। मेरे पति किस दान अथवा पुण्य के प्रभाव से हुए हैं?

शंकर जी बोले - हे देवि! सुनो मैं तुमसे वह उत्तम व्रत कहता हूं जो परम गोपनीय एवं मेरा सर्वस्व है। वह व्रत जैसे कि ताराओं में चन्द्रमा, ग्रहों में सूर्य , वर्णों में ब्राह्‌मण सभी देवताओं में विष्णु, नदियों में जैसे गंगा, पुराणों में जैसे महाभारत, वेदों में सामवेद, इन्द्रियों में मन, जैसे श्रेष्ठ समझे जाते हैं। वेैसे पुराण वेदों का सर्वस्व ही इस व्रत को शास्त्रों ने कहा है, उसे एकाग्र मन से श्रवण करो। इसी व्रत के प्रभाव से ही तुमने मेरा अर्धासन प्राप्त किया है तुम मेरी परम प्रिया हो इसी कारण वह सारा व्रत मैं तुम्हें सुनाता हूं। भादों का महीना हो, शुक्ल पक्ष की तृतीया तिथि हो, हस्त नक्षत्र हो, उसी दिन इस व्रत के अनुष्ठान से मनुष्यों के सभी पाप भस्मीभूत हो जाते हैं। हे देवि! सुनो, जिस महान व्रत को तुमने हिमालय पर्वत पर धारण किया था वह सबका सब पूरा वृतान्त मुझसे श्रवण करो। 

श्रीपार्वती जी बोलीं- भगवन! वह सर्वोत्तम व्रत मैंने किस प्रकार किया था यह सब हे परमेश्वर! मैं आपसे सुनना चाहती हूं। 

शिवजी बोले-हिमालय नामक एक उत्तम महान पर्वत है। नाना प्रकार की भूमि तथा वृक्षों से वह शोभायमान है। अनेकों प्रकार के पक्षी वहां अपनी मधुर बोलियों से उसे शोभायमान कर रहे हैं एवं चित्र-विचित्र मृगादिक पशु वहां विचरते हैं। देवता, गन्धर्व, सिद्ध, चारण एवं गुह्‌यक प्रसन्न होकर वहां घूमते रहते हैं। गन्धर्वजन गायन करने में मग्न रहते हैं। नाना प्रकार की वैडूर्य मणियों तथा सोने की ऊंची ऊंची चोटियों रूपी भुजाओं से यानी आकाश पर लिखता हुआ दिखाई देता है। उसका आकाश से स्पर्श इस प्रकार से है जैसे कोई अपने मित्र के मन्दिर को छू रहा हो। वह बर्फ से ढका रहता है, गंगा नदी की ध्वनि से वह सदा शब्दायमान रहता है। हे पार्वती! तुने वहीं बाल्यावस्था में बारह वर्ष तक कठोर तप किया अधोमुख होकर केवल धूम्रपान किया। फिर चौसठ वर्ष पर्यन्त पके पके पत्ते खाये। माघ महीने में जल में खड़ी हो तप किया और वैशाख में अग्नि का सेवन किया। सावन में अन्न पान का त्याक कर दिया, एकदम बाहर मैदान में जाकर तप किया। 

तुम्हारे पिताजी तुम्हें इस प्रकार के कष्टों में देखकर घोर चिन्ता से व्याकुल हो गये। उन्होंने विचार किया कि यह कन्या किसको दी जाय। उस समय ब्रह्‌मा जी के पुत्र परम धर्मात्मा श्रेष्ठ मुनि, श्री नारद जी तुम्हें देखने के लिए वहां आ गये। उन्हें अर्ध्य आसन देकर हिमालय ने उनसे कहा। हे श्रेष्ठ मुनि! आपका आना शुभ हो, बड़े भाग्य से ही आप जैसे ऋषियों का आगमन होता है, कहिये आपका शुभागमन किस कारण से हुआ। 

श्री नारद मुनि बोले- हे पर्वतराज! सुनिये मुझे स्वयं विष्णु भगवान ने आपके पास भेजा है। आपकी यह कन्या रत्न है, किसी योगय व्यक्ति को समर्पण करना उत्तम है। संसार में ब्रह्‌मा, इन्द्र शंकर इत्यादिक देवताओं में वासुदेव श्रेष्ठ माने जाते हैं उन्हें ही अपनी कन्या देना उत्तम है, मेरी तो यही सम्मति है। हिमालय बोले - देवाधिदेव! वासुदेव यदि स्वयं ही जब कन्या के लिए प्रार्थना कर रहे हैं और आपके आगमन का भी यही प्रयोजन है तो अपनी कन्या उन्हें दूंगा। यह सुन कर नारद जी वहां से अन्तर्ध्यान होकर शंख, चक्र, गदा, पद्‌मधारी श्री विष्णु जी के पास पहुंचे। 

नारद जी बोले- हे देव! आपका विवाह निश्चित हो गया है। इतना कहकर देवर्षि नारद तो चले आये और इधर हिमालय राज ने अपनी पुत्री गौरी से प्रसन्न होकर कहा- हे पुत्री! तुम्हें गरुणध्वज वासुदेव जी के प्रति देने का विचार कर लिया है। पिता के इस प्रकार के वचन सुनकर पार्वती अपनी सखी के घर गयीं और अत्यन्त दुःखित होकर पृथ्वी पर गिर पड़ीं और विलाप करने लगीं। उन्हें इस प्रकार दुखित हो विलाप करते सखी ने देखा और पूछने लगी। हे देवि! तुम्हें क्या दुःख हुआ है मुझसे कहो। और तुम्हे जिस प्रकार से भी सुख हो मैं निश्चय ही वही उपाय करूंगी। पार्वती जी बोली- सखी! मुझे प्रसन्न करना चाहती हो तो मेरी अभिलाषा सुना। हे सखि! मैं कुछ और चाहती हूं और मेरे पिता कुछ और करना चाहते हैं। मैं तो अपना पति श्री महादेवजी को वर चुकी हूं, मेरे पिताजी इसके विपरीत करना चाहते हैं। इसलिए हे प्यारी सखी! मैं अब अपनी देह त्याग कर दूंगी। 

तब पार्वती के ऐसे वचन सुन कर सखी ने कहा- पार्वती! तुम घबराओं नही हम दोनों यहां से निकलकर ऐसे वन में पहुंच जायेंगी जिसे तुम्हारे पिता जान ही नहीं सकेंगे। इस प्रकार आपस में राय करके श्री पार्वती जी को वह घोर वन में ले गई। तब पिता हिमालयराज ने अपनी पुत्री को घर में न देखकर इधर-उधर खोज किया, घर-घर ढूढ़ा किन्तु वह न मिली, तो विचार करने लगे। मेरी पुत्री को देव, दानव, किन्नरों में से कौन ले गया। मैंने नारद के आगे विष्णु जी के प्रति कन्या देने की प्रतिज्ञा की थी अब मैं क्या दूंगा। इस प्रकार की चिन्ता करते करते वे मूर्छित होकर गिर पड े। तब उनकी ऐसी अवस्था सुनकर हाहाकार करते हुए लोग हिमालयराज के पास पहुंचे और मूर्छा का कारण पूछने लगे। हिमालय बोले- किसी दुष्टात्मा ने मेरी कन्या का अपहरण कर लिया है अथवा किसी काल सर्प ने उसे काट लिया है या सिंह व्याघ्र ने उसे मार डाला है। पता नहीं मेरी कन्या कहां चली गयी, किस दुष्ट ने उसे हर लिया। ऐसा कहते-कहते शोक से संतप्त होकर हिमालय राज वायु से कम्पायमान महा-वृक्ष के समान कांपने लगे। 

तुम्हारे पिता ने सिंह, व्याघ्र, भल्लूक आदि हिंसक पशुओं से भ्रे हुए एक वन से दूसरे वन में जा जा कर तुम्हें ढूढ़ने का बहुत प्रयत्न किया।

इधर अपनी सखियों के साथ एक घोर में तुम भी जा पहुंची, वहां एक सुन्दर नदी बह रही थी और उसके तट पर एक बड ी गुफा थी, जिसे तुमने देखा। तब अपनी सखियों के साथ तुमने उस गुफा में प्रवेश किया। खाना, पीता त्याग करके वहां तुमने मेरी पार्वती युक्त बालुका लिंग स्थापित किया। उस दिन भादों मास की तृतीया थी साथ में हस्त नक्षत्र था। मेरी अर्चना तुमने बड े प्रेम से आरम्भ की, बाजों तथा गीतों के साथ रात को जागरण भी किया। इस प्रकार तुम्हारा परम श्रेष्ठ व्रत हुआ। उसी व्रत के प्रभाव से मेरा आसन हिल गया, तब तत्काल ही मैं प्रकट हो गया, जहां तुम सखियों के साथ थी। मैंने दर्शन देकर कहा कि - हे वरानने! वर मांगो। तब तुम बोली- हे देव महेश्वर! यदि आप प्रसन्न हों तो मेरे स्वामी बनिये। तब मैंने 'तथास्तु' कहा- फिर वहां से अन्तर्धान होकर कैलाश पहुंचा। इधर जब प्रातःकाल हुआ तब तुमने मेरी लिंग मूर्ति का नदी में विसर्जन किया। अपनी सखियों के साथ वन से प्राप्त कंद मूल फल आदि से तुमने पारण किया। हे सुन्दरी! उसी स्थान पर सखियों के साथ तुम सो गई।

हिमालय राज तुम्हारे पिता भी उस घोर वन में आ पहुंचे, अपना खाना पीना त्यागकर वन में चारों ओर तुम्हें ढूढ़ने लगे। नदी के किनारे दो कन्याओं को सोता हुआ उन्होंने देख लिया और पहचान लिया। फिर तो तुम्हें उठाकर गोदी में लेकर तुमसे कहने लगे- हे पुत्री! सिंह, व्याघ्र आदि पशुओं से पूर्ण इस घोर वन में क्यों आई? तब श्री पार्वती जी बोली- पिता जी! सुनिये, आप मुझे विष्णु को देना चाहते थे, आप की यह बात मुझे अच्छी न लगी, इससे मैं वन में चली आयी। यदि आप मेरा विवाह शंकर के साथ करें तो मैं घर चलूंगी नहीं तो यहीं रहने का मैंने निश्चय कर लिया है। 

तब तुम्हारे पिता ने कहा कि एवमस्तु मैं शंकर के साथ ही तुम्हारा विवाह करूंगा। उनके ऐसा कहने पर ही तब तुम घर में आई, तुम्हारे पिता जी ने तब विवाह विधि से तुमको मुझे समर्पित कर दिया। हे पार्वती जी! उसी व्रत का प्रभाव है जिससे तुम्हारे सौभाग्य की वृद्धि हो गई। अभी तक किसी के सम्मुख मैंने इस व्रतराज का वर्णन नहीं किया। हे देवि! इस व्रतराज का नाम भी अब श्रवण कीजिए। क्योंकि तुम अपनी सखियों के साथ ही इस व्रत के प्रभाव से हरी गई, इस कारण इस व्रत का नाम हरितालिका हुआ। 

पार्वती जी बोली- हे प्रभो! आपने इसका नाम तो कहा, कृपा करके इसकी विधि भी कहिये। इसके करने से कौन सा फल मिलता है, कौन सा पुण्य लाभ होता है और किस प्रकार से कौन इस व्रत को करे।

 ईश्वर बोले- हे देवि! सुनो यह व्रत सौभाग्यवर्धक है, जिसको सौभाग्य की इच्छा हो, वह यत्नपूर्वक इस व्रत को करे। सबसे प्रथम वेदी की रचना करे उसमें ४ केले के खंभ रोपित करे, चारो ओर बन्दनवार बांधे, ऊपर वस्त्र बांधे विविध रंगों के और भी वस्त्र लगावे। उस मंडप के नीचे की भूमि को अनेको चंदनादिक सुगन्धित जल द्वारा लीपे, शंख, मृदंग आदि बाजे बजवाये। वह मंडप मेरा मंदिर है इसलिए नाना प्रकार के मंगलगीत वहां होने चाहिए। शुद्ध रेती का मेरा लिंग श्रीपार्वती के साथ ही वहां स्थापित करे। बहुत से पुष्पों के द्वारा गन्ध, धूप आदि से मेरा पूजन करे फिर नाना प्रकार के मिष्ठान्नादि और नैवेद्य समर्पित करें और रात को जागरण करे। नारियल सुपारियां मुसम्मियां, नीबू, बकुल, बीजपुर नारंगियां एवं और भी ऋतु अनुसार बहुत से फल, उस ऋतु में होने वाले नाना प्रकार के कन्द मूल सुगन्धित धूप दीप आदि सब लेकर इन मंत्रों द्वारा पूजन करके चढ़ावें। 

मंत्र इस प्रकार है- शिव, शांत, पंचमुखी, शूली, नंदी, भृंगी, महाकाल, गणों से युक्त शम्भु आपको नमस्कार है। शिवा, शिवप्रिया, प्रकृति सृष्टि हेतु, श्री पार्वती, सर्वमंगला रूपा, शिवरूपा, जगतरूपा आपको नमस्कार है। हे शिवे नित्य कल्याणकारिणी, जगदम्बे, शिवस्वरूपे आपको बारम्बार नमस्कार है। आप ब्रह्‌मचारिणी हो, जगत की धात्री सिंहवाहिनी हो, आप को नमस्कार है। संसार के भय संताप से मेरी रक्षा कीजिए। हे महेश्वरि पार्वती जी। जिस कामना के लिए आपकी पूजा की है, हमारी वह कामना पूर्ण कीजिए। राज्य, सौभाग्य एवं सम्पत्ति प्रदान करें। 

शंकर जी बोले- हे देवि! इन मंत्रों तथा प्रार्थनाओं द्वारा मेरे मेरे साथ तुम्हारी पूजा करे और विधिपूर्वक कथा श्रवण करे, फिर बहुत सा अन्नदान करे। यथाशक्ति वस्त्र, स्वर्ण, गाय ब्राह्‌मणों को दे एवं अन्य ब्राह्‌मणों को भूयसीदक्षिणा दे, स्त्रियों को भूषण आदि प्रदान करे। हे देवि! जो स्त्री अपने पति के साथ भक्तियुक्त चित्त से सर्वश्रेष्ठ व्रत को सुनती तथा करती है उसके सभी पाप नष्ट हो जाते हैं। सात जन्मों तक उसे राज्य की प्राप्ति होती है, सौभाग्य की वृद्धि होती है और जो नारी भादों के शुक्ल पक्ष की तृतीया के दिन व्रत नहीं धारण करती आहार कर लेती है वह सात जन्मों तक बन्ध्या रहती है एवं जन्म-जन्म तक विधवा हो जाती है, दरिद्रता पाकर अनेक कष्ट उठाती है उसे पुत्रशोक छोड़ता ही नहीं। और जो उपवास नहीं करती वह घोर नरक में पड ती है, अन्न के आहार करने से उसे शूकरी का जन्म मिलता है। फल खाने से बानरी होती है। जल पीने से जोंक होती है। दुग्ध के आहार से सर्पिणी होती है। मांसाहार से व्याघ्री होती है। दही खाने से बिल्ली होती है। मिठाई खा लेने पर चीटीं होती है। सभी वस्तुएं खा लेने पर मक्खी हो जाती है। सो जाने पर अजगरी का जन्म पाती है। पति के साथ ठगी करने पर मुर्गी होती है। शिवजी बोले- इसी कारण सभी स्त्रियों को प्रयत्न पूर्वक सदा यह व्रत करते रहना चाहिए, चांदी सोने, तांबे एवं बांस से बने अथवा मिट्‌टी के पात्र में अन्न रखे, फिर फल, वस्त्र दक्षिणा आदि यह सब श्रद्धापूर्वक विद्वान श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्‌मण को दान करें। उनके अनन्तर पारण अर्थात भोजन करें। हे देवि! जो स्त्री इस प्रकार सदा व्रत किया करती है वह तुम्हारे समान ही अपने पति के साथ इस पृथ्वी पर अनेक भोगों को प्राप्त करके सानन्द विहार करती है और अन्त में शिव का सान्निध्य प्राप्त करती है। इसकी कथा श्रवण करने से हजार अश्वमेध एवं सौ वाजपेय यज्ञ का फल प्राप्त होता है। श्री शिव जी बोले - हे देवि! इस प्रकार मैंने आपको इस सर्वश्रेष्ठ व्रत का माहात्म्य सुनाया है, जिसके अनुष्ठान मात्र से करोड ों यज्ञ का पुण्य फल प्राप्त होता है। 

हरतालिका व्रत की सामग्री 

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Ganesh Chaturthhi:Gauri Pujan Festival

Ganesh Chaturthhi:Gauri Pujan Festival 

Ganesh Chaturthhi:Gauri Pujan Festival

Gauri Pujan is the festival of worshiping Goddess Parvati celebrated by Maharashtrians. It is also celebrated in few other places near Maharashtra. Know about the features of this festival which makes it unique. On the day of Gauri Pujan all Maharashtrian women stay awake the whole night and play traditional games like Zhimma and Phugdi. Read on to find more about how Gauri Pujan festival is celebrated.

Festivals have a special importance in life of every individual. People from all the religions celebrate their festivals in their own way. One such festival is Gauri Pujan which resembles some Hindu festivals but has its own unique features. Parvati mother of Lord Ganesh is also known as Gauri. Gauri Pujan is all about worshiping Goddess Parvati or Gauri.

It is celebrated mainly in Maharashtra. It falls during the fourth or fifth day of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is regarded as the festival of Maharastrian women. It is the only time in a year when women enjoy themselves along with their friends. This Puja is very well known in Maharashtra as 'Mangala Gauri'. According to Hindus Mangala means holy and auspicious. To know more about this holy celebration read on.

Bringing Gauri Idol or Image Home:-
Just like Ganesh idol, Gauri idol is brought one day before Gauri Pujan or along with Ganesh idol. Gauri is brought home in form of the idol or a simple image on a paper. In Maharashtra most of the families bring Gauri idols but in some villages near Maharashtra people prefer to worship an image of Goddess Gauri. Most of the Maharastrians bring Gauri idol exclusively during Gauri Pujan day during Ganesh Chaturthi. There are some people who bring an image of Goddess Gauri on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi itself.

It is believed by most of the devotees that the holy rays come out of the Gauri image or idol during the period of Gauri Pujan which puts end to sufferings. Gauri Pujan also brings prosperity and well being to the mankind. Some people also worship the images of Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri during Ganesh Chaturthi. This is done with the view of paying respect to the parents of Lord Ganesh.

Dressing up Gauri:-
If the devotees bring idol they drape the idol with a very fine and colourful sari. The devotees also decorate the idol with the jewellery like green bangles, mangalsutra, nose-ring, necklace etc. mangalsutra and green bangles are the most important jewellery which Hindu married women wear. Goddess Gauri is also offered a hair band of flowers known as Veni in Marathi which is worn on the backside of the head. Devotees also offer garlands to Goddess Gauri.

Gauri Pujan:-
Gauri Pujan requires leaves and flower of a specific plant. It also requires systematic Puja to be done by inviting a Pujari at home. Performing Aarti is also necessary during Gauri Pujan. After the systematic Puja is performed all the women visit each others house to offer coconut, a piece of cloth, flowers, bananas, rice and even new saris to the idol of Goddess Gauri.

All the women wear new saris and all the traditional jewellery on this day. On the night of Gauri Pujan all the women gather together and sing Mangala Gauri songs. These songs have a traditional base and reflect the life style of Hindu married women. Males do not take part in this function. This occasion is considered important in the life of a newly married Maharastrian woman as her first Mangala Gauri.

All the women taking part in Mangala Gauri occasion are awake the whole night and play various games. The typical games known as Zhimmaa and Phugadi are played during this occasion. In Zhimmaa women clap hands and sing songs to tease each other. Phugadi is played by crossing both hands and holding each others hands just as we shake them. After holding hands in this specific position, women move round in circles and sing songs. The whole night is full of fun and joy for the women.

Gauri Visarjan;-
Gauri Visarjan is done immediately the next day of Gauri Pujan. It is done along with Ganesh Visarjan on sixth or seventh day of Ganesh Chaturthi. Before Gauri Visarjan Aarti is performed and the Prasad of cooked rice mixed with curd and cooked fenugreek leaves is offered to the idol. This Prasad is then distributed amongst the devotees as the blessings of Goddess Gauri.

The occasions like Gauri Pujan and Ganesh Chaturthi are major events for the Maharastrians. They celebrate it according to the Marathi calendar. These festivals are vital to bring families and friends together. These festivals play an important role in making the bonds of love stronger.

 Ganesha and Gauri:-
Vinayaka was created by goddess Parvati with the little turmeric paste from her body. Ganesh Chaturthi, or Vinayaka Chaturthi, is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom, prosperity and auspiciousness. The Ganesh Chaturthi falls on fourth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August - September). To Venerate his birthday and to get his blessings, every year in India, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with full of piety. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for ten days. In some parts of India, it is celebrated for one day on the Ganesh Chaturthi day also.
      
The idols of Gauri, the incarnation of Parvati, are brought usually two days after the outset of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is placed for three days – first day is the arrival (avahana), next day it is worship (Satyanarayan puja), and on the third day Gauri is immersed in water. Arrival of Goddess Gauri in homes is the herald of health, wealth, happiness and prosperity. Two idols of Goddess Gauri are brought home and adored. These two Gauri idols are regarded as sisters of Ganesha. In West Bengal, goddess Lakshmi and goddess Saraswati are sisters of Ganesha, and all three are the progenies of goddess Durga. In some places, Laxmi is invited along with Gauri. Some legends suggest that Laxmi and Sarsawati always stay with lord Ganesha in the form his two wives Riddhi and Siddhi. Goddess Laxmi is always worshipped associated with some other gods or goddesses. When no one is associated with Laxmi, then she comes with her twin elder sister Kulaxmi, the goddess of strife. That is what, alone Laxmi is not invited or worshiped. In this festival, Laxmi comes with Gauri.
      
One may wonder about the different relationship and interpretation of Gauri with lord Ganesha. Let us accentuate on the message of this festival. At the time of Ganesha Chaturthi, the earth looks green due to the crops in the field. Gauri is also Annapurna Devi, wears a green sari, reflecting the verdancy covering the earth at this time. Gauri comes with prosperity (Laxmi), so two idols of Gauri, one for Parvati in form of Gauri and another for Laxmi. Parvati has created Vinayaka without lord Shiva intervention; this is the significance of woman's power to create wonders. Gauri in the form of Laxmi and Sarsawati as sisters signifies that, these two sisters follow lord Ganesh, the embodiment of wisdom. Laxmi and Sarsawati cannot stay together without wisdom. Laxmi and Sarsawati are considered the form of his wives, Riddhi and Siddhi. One cannot get Siddhi (Prosperity, Goal achieved) without Riddhi (Knowledge, perseverance).  Riddhi and Siddhi cannot stay together without Ganesha (Wisdom).
      
Gauri is normally followed by Ganesha, and hence their relationship is tied up as of sisters and brother. In the past, the married girls were under draconian family restrictions. At a few occasions, they were allowed to visit their parents’ home. Gauri-Ganapati was such an occasion, when the married girls could see their parents and stay with them. After being worshipped, these idols are immersed in water, a reminder of the cyclical nature of all existence.
       
There could be different legends, different interpretation, and different method of performing worship that might vary from community to community and place to place. The crucial point is not its ritual but its message, devotion and self-realization.

 Worship Puja of Goddess Gauri during Ganesh Chaturthi Festival:-
During the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, which celebrates Lord Ganesha's birthday, another deity who is worshipped is Goddess Gauri. Many people bring home a small idol of Goddess Gauri in the same manner as the Ganpati idol is brought home - with a lot of fanfare and whoops of joy, often accompanied by the loud beating of drums.

Goddess Gauri is Lord Ganesha's mother. Before marriage, Her name was Parvati. She was eager to marry Lord Shiva, but her father did not regard Lord Shiva as an eligible husband for her due to his living like a medicant in the Himalayas. Nevertheless, Gauri set out to woo Lord Shiva and did a good deal of tapasya (penance), eventually winning the heart of Lord Shiva.
Goddess Gauri is considered to be one of the many forms of Shakti, the Mother of the universe, with lots of power. Goddess Gauri is symbolic of fertility and motherhood and of the victory of good over evil.

Ganpati - Gauri Festival;-
The idol of Goddess Gauri is always brought home 4 days after the beginning of the Ganesh festival and worshipped with the Lord Ganesha idol for 1 ½ days. To invite Goddess Gauri home, first her footsteps are symbolically drawn at the threshold of the home, either with rangoli powder or with kumkum. A married woman of the family brings the idol inside the home. The idol of Goddess Gauri is placed next to the idol of Lord Ganesha and besides Her idol is placed a kalash (copper pot); the kalash is a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva. Goddess Gauri is then worshipped with an aarti and prayers. The next day, a special meal is cooked for Goddess Gauri and this cooked food, along with sweets and fruits, are offered to Goddess Gauri - these offerings are known as Naivedya.

Gauri Visarjan is the immersion of the idol of Goddess Gauri in the sea. Gauri Visarjan is done after keeping the idol of Goddess Gauri in the home for 1 ½ days. (though a few families keep the idol for 3 days).

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