NEW DELHI : Hartalika Teej is an important fast for married women. On this day, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped according. And, in many households, Lord Ganesha is also installed. According to Drik Panchang, “Haritalika Teej comes one month after Hariyali Teej and most of the time celebrated one day before Ganesh Chaturthi.” However, this year Hartalika Teej and Ganesh Chaturthi are falling on the same date.
However, devotees often wonder about the correct order of rituals during the fast: should the fast be broken first, or should Ganesh Sthapana be performed?
Why Should Hartalika Teej Puja Be Performed First?
Married women observe the Hartalika Teej fast to pray for their husband’s long life.According to religious tradition, Goddess Parvati undertook severe penance to attain Lord Shiva as her husband. The tradition is to perform the Hartalika Teej puja and complete the rituals associated with the fast first thing in the morning. Preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi puja and Ganpati Sthapana can then be made.
Perform Teej Puja During This Morning Muhurat
The Hartalika Teej puja will be performed in the morning on September 14, 2026. The auspicious time for the puja is said to be from 6:05 am to 7:06 am. “The morning time is considered good to perform Hartalika Puja. If morning Puja is not possible due to some reason then Pradosh time is also considered good to perform Shiva-Parvati Puja. Teej Puja should be done after taking early bath and getting dressed up with fine clothes. Sand made Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati should be worshipped and legend of Hartalika should be narrated during the Puja,” states Drik Panchang
Perform Ganesh Sthapana After Teej Puja
After completing the Hartalika Teej puja, preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi puja can be made in the afternoon. The midday period is considered especially auspicious for installing and worshipping Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi. On September 14, 2026, the auspicious muhurat for Ganesh Sthapana is said to be from 11:11 am to 1:37 pm.
Two Festivals On One Day
Both Hartalika Teej and Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on September 14, 2026. For women observing the Teej fast, it is considered appropriate to complete the Shiva-Parvati puja and other Teej rituals in the morning. Ganesh Sthapana and Ganpati puja can then be performed during the auspicious afternoon muhurat. Religious traditions consider devotion, faith and adherence to prescribed rituals to be important alongside the puja itself.
Keep Separate Spaces For The Two Pujas
It is better to keep separate chowkis, or low wooden platforms, for the clay or sand idols of Shiva and Parvati made for Hartalika Teej and the Ganpati idol installed for Ganesh Chaturthi. If the tradition calls for the immersion of the Teej idols and puja materials after the morning worship, it can be completed at this time. The space should then be cleaned thoroughly before installing Lord Ganesha in the afternoon.
Keep The Fast And Prasad In Mind
Women observing the nirjala Hartalika Teej fast, should break their fast according to their family tradition after completing the puja. It’s after this that they can prepare for Ganesh Chaturthi. During Ganesh Sthapana, modaks, laddoos and other favourite offerings can be offered to Lord Ganesha, followed by the distribution of prasad among family members.
