Hartalika Teej, a festival celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm, involves various rituals and worship ceremonies. Pooja samagri, or the items required for the worship, play a crucial role in performing the rituals accurately. This article provides a detailed guide on the essential pooja samagri requirements for Hartalika Teej, helping devotees prepare for the auspicious occasion.
Idol or Picture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati:
The central focus of the Hartalika Teej pooja is Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees should arrange an idol or picture of the divine couple to place at the puja altar. The idol or picture should be clean and adorned with flowers and sacred clothes.
Puja Thali:
A puja thali or plate is necessary to hold all the pooja items. It is usually made of metal, such as silver or brass, and should be decorated with traditional motifs. The thali should include a small diya (lamp) to be lit during the puja.
Water:
Water is an essential element of any Hindu ritual. Devotees should keep a clean container filled with water for the ablution of the deities during the puja. It is also used for sprinkling water on oneself as a form of purification.
Dhoop (Incense) and Agarbatti (Incense Sticks):
Fragrant incense sticks and dhoop are lit during the puja to create a serene and divine atmosphere. The pleasant aroma of incense is believed to purify the surroundings and please the deities.
Deepak (Oil Lamp) and Ghee:
Lighting a deepak or oil lamp is considered highly auspicious during the puja. Devotees should keep a small oil lamp filled with ghee (clarified butter) and cotton wicks. The lamp symbolizes the presence of divine light and knowledge.
Flowers and Garland:
Fresh flowers hold great significance in Hindu rituals. Devotees should arrange a variety of flowers, preferably lotus, rose, and marigold, for offering to the deities. A garland made of flowers can be placed around the idol or picture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Akshata (Uncooked Rice):
Akshata, meaning uncooked rice grains, is considered sacred and is offered during the puja. Devotees can prepare the akshata by mixing rice grains with turmeric powder or saffron strands, symbolizing purity and prosperity.
Sweets and Fruits:
Offering sweets and fruits to the deities is a common practice during Hartalika Teej. Devotees can choose traditional sweets like laddoos, pedas, or kheer as offerings. Fresh fruits, especially bananas and coconuts, are also considered auspicious and can be offered.
Sacred Thread (Mauli) and Sindoor:
A sacred thread, also known as mauli or kalava, is used to tie around the wrist as a symbol of protection and blessings. Sindoor, a red vermillion powder, is considered sacred and is applied to the forehead of the deities during the puja.
Camphor and Bells:
Camphor is used for the Hartalika Teej aarti ritual, where it is lit and waved in front of the deities. The ringing of bells creates a melodious sound, signifying the presence of divinity and warding off negative energies.
Panchamrit:
Panchamrit is a sacred mixture of five ingredients – milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar. It is prepared as an offering to the deities and later distributed as prasad among the devotees.
Betel Leaves and Nuts:
Betel leaves and nuts are offered as a symbol of hospitality and respect to the deities. They can be placed near the idol or picture during the puja.
Conclusion:
Proper preparation and arrangement of pooja samagri are essential for a meaningful and fulfilling Hartalika Teej celebration. The aforementioned items, including idols or pictures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, puja thali, water, incense, oil lamp, flowers, garland, akshata, sweets, fruits, sacred thread, sindoor, camphor, bells, panchamrit, and betel leaves, contribute to creating a sacred atmosphere and invoking divine blessings. Devotees should approach the puja with utmost devotion and sincerity, ensuring that the pooja samagri is arranged and used appropriately to honor the divine couple and seek their divine grace and blessings.
