The Hindu
festival of Teej is one of the greatest festival celebrated by Nepali women for
the long life of the their husband. The festival
is observed by women fasting for the day and by praying Lord Shiva and Goddess
Parvati seeking their blessings for their marital bliss. It is one of the
famous festival among Nepali women.
The local
dances along with folk music add more spice to the traditional values of the
festival. Women are seen dancing and singing in the streets, dressed in
complete red attire and going to temple to worship in holy and fasting mood.
The
first day of the Teej or the eve is called Dar
Khane Din. During this day, all the family members specially the women,
both married and unmarried gather together at one place in their best red
outfit where they will dance and sing. At the evening, all the members sit
together for the grand feast which is called Dar. It often goes till late midnight.
The
second day is the main day of Teej. On this day women fasts for whole day
without having any food or water. During the day time they gather and sing and
dance and later they pay visit to the temples and offers prayers to Lord Shiva
and Parvati.
On
the third day, women gets up early and take bath and perform puja. Only after completing this puja,
they end their fasting. They eat only pure food on this day.
The
fourth day is called as Rishi Panchami. On
this day women pay homage to various deities and bathe with red mud found on
the roots of sacred Datiwan plants.
This is the final ritual of Teej after which they are considered forgiven from
all of their sins.
The
festival of Teej is significantly important to Nepali people. It indicates the
victory of wife’s love and devotion towards her husband. It is symbolized by
the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
