It is celebrated on the Tritiya or 3rd day of the Skukla Paksha. The festival mainly celebrated by married women in the honour of Goddess Parvati and in this one has to fast for three continuous days. The word Hartalika is made by joining the words ‘harat’ meaning abduction and ‘Aalika’ means one who is a good female friend. According to the Hindu mythology, it was on this day incarnation of Goddess Parvati was abducted by her friends to stop her marriage to Lord Vishnu, and ultimately she was married to Lord Shiva.