Prayagraj: On Hartalika Teej, the sacred fast dedicated to the power of determination and the wish for eternal good fortune, former Mayor of Prayagraj, Abhilasha Gupta Nandi, prayed for eternal good fortune by worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with due rituals at the ancient Manokamnapurti Shiva Temple in Bahadurganj. A large number of women from the area participated in the worship.

Speaking to reporters Abhilasha Gupta Nandi said, “It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati also known as Teejmata celebrated her union with Lord Shiva, swinging in the pleasant season of rains. The festival is dedicated to the daughters of the house. Married women keep fast on the day while unmarried girls seek blessings from the deity for a good husband.”

The day symbolises reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Remembering Parvati’s happiness, the women celebrated in different ways such as applying mehndi, wearing new clothes, swinging, dressing up traditionally and visiting parent’s home.

The fields turn lush green and the festivity is the celebration of prosperity. Some people regard it as a harvest festival. Teej is often recognised as a festival for women to have relief from busy household duties. Women clad in colourful dresses and ornaments, adore their hands with beautiful mehndi patterns. The preferred colour on this day is green. The gaiety gets enlivened through traditional songs, dances, worship in temples and sumptuous feasts. The festival is also known as Singhara Teej and Shrawani Teej as well, said a priest.

The festival symbolizes reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. On this day, women pray and worship Goddess Parvati for conjugal bliss and happy married life. Married women go to the home of their parents, wear new clothes preferably green and bangles, sing Teej songs while swinging.