The festival of Teej holds immense significance and is deeply rooted in faith for married women. Women observe the rigorous *Nirjala* (waterless) fast of Hartalika Teej, praying for their husbands' longevity, unbroken marital bliss, and a happy married life. In Hinduism, this is considered one of the most arduous fasts, as women abstain from both food and water for approximately 24 hours while worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The festival of Hartalika Teej is celebrated on the *Tritiya Tithi* (third day) of the *Shukla Paksha* (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Bhadrapada. Women display great enthusiasm on this day; adorned in traditional finery (*Solah Shringar*), they perform rituals to worship Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and the entire Shiva family.

**Idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati Crafted from Soil and Sand**
According to religious beliefs, Goddess Parvati undertook severe penance to attain Lord Shiva as her husband. It is said that she worshipped Lord Bholenath by creating a *Shivling* out of sand and pure soil. Pleased by her rigorous penance and unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva accepted her as his wife. For this reason, the Hartalika Teej fast holds special importance for women. It is believed that women who observe this fast with devotion and proper rituals are blessed with unbroken marital bliss, family happiness, and prosperity in their married lives.

**Insights from a Deoghar Astrologer**
A unique celestial alignment is set to occur regarding Hartalika Teej in the year 2026. Speaking to a *Local 18* correspondent, Pandit Nand Kishore Mudgal—a renowned astrologer from the Mudgal Jyotish Kendra at Deoghar’s Pagal Baba Ashram—stated that the Hartalika Teej fast will be observed on August 14th this year. Notably, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi also falls on the same day. Consequently, this year's Hartalika Teej fast is considered particularly special, as devotees will worship Lord Ganesha alongside Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The opportunity to worship the Shiva family and Lord Ganesha—the deity worshipped first among all gods—on a single day holds immense religious significance for devotees.

**Auspicious Timings for Worship**
According to astrologer Pandit Nand Kishore Mudgal, there are several auspicious timings (*muhurats*) for worship on the day of Hartalika Teej. The auspicious time for morning worship is from 6:05 AM to 7:06 AM. Additionally, the *Brahma Muhurat* will last from 4:32 AM to 5:19 AM, while the *Abhijit Muhurat* will be from 11:52 AM to 12:41 PM. Devotees can worship Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesha during these auspicious periods.

**A Very Special Confluence**
On Hartalika Teej, women observe a *Nirjala* fast (abstaining from both food and water) and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with deep devotion. There is also a tradition of worshipping idols of Shiva and Parvati—or a *Shivling*—fashioned from clay or sand during the rituals. This year, the fact that Hartalika Teej and Ganesh Chaturthi fall on the same day—August 14—makes the festival even more special. Consequently, this day will be a significant occasion of faith, reverence, and worship for married women.

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