📌 1. Nahay-Khay (Pre-Fasting Ritual)

• A day before the fast, women take a holy bath and eat a simple satvik meal—usually rice and ghee.

• It marks physical and mental purification before undertaking the strict vrat.

📌 2. Nirjala Vrat (Fasting Without Water)

• A strict 24-hour fast with no water or food, observed with utmost discipline and devotion.

• Only women in good health observe this rigorous vrat. Elderly or unwell women may perform a partial fast.

📌 3. Early Morning Puja

• Women dress in traditional sarees (often green, red, or yellow) and apply solah shringar (16 adornments).

• Clay or metal idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped on a decorated platform.

• Lord Ganesha is also invoked at the beginning of the puja.

🕉️ Offerings Include:

• Bilva leaves, flowers, sandalwood paste, incense, diyas

• Fruits like banana, cucumber, coconut

• Homemade sweets such as puran poli or modaks

📌 4. Hartalika Katha (The Legend Recital)

The legend of Parvati’s devotion and her eventual union with Shiva is recited. Listening to this Hartalika Vrat Katha is believed to fulfill desires and bring spiritual blessings.

📌 5. Jagran (Night Vigil)

• Many devotees stay awake all night, engaging in bhajans, aarti, and spiritual chants.

• This Jagran reflects unwavering focus and continues the energy of Parvati’s long penance.

📌 6. Breaking the Fast

• The fast is broken after sunrise on the next day, often with a sip of water and fruit offered during the puja.

• The vrat is completed only after offering sindoor (vermilion) to Goddess Parvati and then applying it oneself (by married women).