Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Hartalika Teej

Hartalika Teej, a beautiful festival for women to impress Goddess Parvati who blesses them with a marriage like Shiva & Parvati, or healthy life of their husbands. Read further to understand the importance of Teej festival with the ways of celebration.
Hartalika Teej 2013 date is September 8, as per the lunar Hindu calendar. Hartalika Teej is a form of Teej festival, which is popularly known amongst the people of India. The Teej festival is subdivided into three categories:
  • Haryali Teej
  • Kajari Teej
  • Hartalika Teej
Haritalika Teej is basically a north Indian festival, which is celebrated amongst the people of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Hartalika Teej is typically a women’s festival celebrated by the females of India to enchant Goddess Parvati for her blessings. The blessings are targeted for good health and long life of the husbands of married women, whereas unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva.
Indians believe that on this auspicious day, Goddess Parvati was accepted by Lord Shiva. As per the story, Mata Parvathy was in love with Shiva, but he was an ascetic and was not aware about her. In order to impress him, the goddess worshipped for many years in the Himalyas. Finally, Lord Shiva noticed Goddess Parvati and realized her love and devotion, and they got married. Since then, the goddess is being worshipped as ‘Hartalika’ and ‘Teej Mata’ by the Indian ladies.

Hartalika Teej is basically a three day festival. First day is followed by the gathering of all ladies singing and dancing together. They also decorate each other as well as apply mehandi on hands and the day ends by exchanging gifts between the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law. The enthusiasm for the festival can easily be seen in women of all ages. They get dressed and get ready for the special events and competitions organised during teej.
Now, comes the second day, which is the most important day amongst three. Women keep fast throughout the day without even touching or smelling any food as well as water. The fast without water is known as ‘Nirjala vrat’ and because this nirjala vrat is in the name of Ma Parvati this day, we also know it as ‘Hartalika vrat’. This fast is dedicated to Goddess Parvathi as the token of love and honor. Further, they worship Parvathy Maa and on third day they have something to eat or drink.
Puja of Parvati Ma is basically performed at the most convenient place where all women can easily gather. Parvathi Ma is known as ‘Teej Mata’ on this day and women read ‘Hartalika Katha’ or ‘Teej Katha’ to fascinate her. After puja process is over, women sit over the whole night and celebrate by singing and dancing. It is customary at some places to stay awake at Teej night and sometimes all three nights are celebrated to symbolize the penance undertook by Parvati. With this custom, another custom has been attached of lighting up an oil lamp and keep it throughout the whole night to signify the well being of their husbands. Women also offer food to young girls and Brahmins on this day.
On the last day, women end this festival by preparing delicious recipes to break their fast. The dishes of the feast vary according to the regions, like Rajasthani prepares Ghewar and Daal Bhati, whereas women from M.P., U.P. and Bihar prepare vermicelli, malpua and kheer-puri.

source :  http://www.astrocamp.com/hartalika-teej-2012-vrat-katha.html



Hartalika Teej Prasad 

 Traditionally our family makes fruits, panchamrita, aata panjiri, khurmi and batiya as Prasad. 

How to make Indian clarified butter or ghee at home? 

Ghee is one of the most important ingredients of Indian cooking.
Easiest way to make ghee is to heat butter in medium low flame until is is melted and well cooked. And then filter it out. After filtration dense liquid part is ghee and you have some golden brown part, which has much of ghee and its unique flavor.  IT IS NOT WASTE! Use it in making curry or dal in place of oil, it will taste just divine. You can also use it in making panjiri.

aata panjiri recipe

First of all take some ghee (or golden brown solid after making ghee) add 1 cup whole wheat flour and mix and roast it in medium flame for about 8 minutes. Then chop some dry fruits of your choice (For a hint, I added almonds, cashews, makhana, rosinen (kishmish)) and mix it with sugar and roasted flour.

Khurmi recipe

Khurmi is slightly sweet diamond or square shaped bites made of whole wheat flour.

Take one cup whole wheat flour and add around 2 tsp ghee and ½ tsp cardamom powder to it.

Then in a separate pan add 4 tsp gur/ jaggary  and 2 tsp water, heat it a bit and make a smooth solution.

Mix whole wheat flour mixture and jaggary syrup together and knead it. then fry it. 


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