Hartalika Teej - All you need to know

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New Delhi: Lord Shiva is worshipped all across the country by married women for martial bliss and by unmarried women for a suitable husband. Hartalika Teej is celebrated with much grandeur chiefly in the states of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

This year, Hartalika Teej falls on August 24, 2017. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, who is Lord Shiva's wife. She is also known as Maa Hartalika.

On the day of Hartalika Teej, a married woman prays for martial bliss and long life of her husband and a Nirjala (without water) fast is kept to attain the blessings of Goddess Parvati. 

Women rise early, take bath, wear new clothes and adorn their best jewellery. Then they visit the temple for morning puja and light a diya made of clay which needs to be kept lit all night long. 

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati's clay idols are decorated and in the evening, all women gather to sing songs and swing on decorated swings in a garden.