Today, Haritalika Teej : Fasting and worshiping Lord Shiva

Today is the great festival of Nepali women. This festival is being celebrated with pomp and circumstance all over the country. As the government has lifted the ban on Teej, women sisters are celebrating Teej by dancing and singing this year.
It is customary for women who fasted yesterday to worship Lord Mahadev by fasting all day today.
Crowds of women have been flocking to Shivalayas across the country since early morning. The process of fasting, worshiping and dancing to Teej’s songs will continue throughout the day.
There is a religious belief that if one fasts on Bhadra Shukla Tritiya and worships Shiva Parvati, family happiness, peace and welfare will be achieved.
It is believed that this fast started in the Satyayuga in the belief that Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas, received the gift of getting a husband from Lord Mahadev by doing penance at Gaurighat.

Parvati’s father Himalaya, against the wishes of Parvati, told her friends about her problem when she tried to marry Vishnu against Parvati’s wishes. In the place where her friends hid, Parvati fasted and got Mahadev as her husband. It is believed that the same belief is followed.
The Sanskrit words ‘Harit’ and ‘Alika’ are combined to form the word Haritalika. In which the word ‘green’ means deprived and the word ‘alika’ means friend.

Since Parvati got Shri Mahadev Swami by fasting on this day in Satya Yuga, it is believed that her desires will be fulfilled by fasting on this day.