Teej Festival

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.