Teej festival, also known as Haritalika Teej, is the most elegant festival in Nepal coming at the end of the rainy season. On the special occasion of this festival, unmarried girls look forward to a pleasing marriage in the future, and married women pray for the healthy and long life of their husbands. The festival of Teej is primarily devoted to Goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva. Occurring around the month of August or September, Teej is a festival celebrated by women all over Nepal for three days. Beautified in exquisite red sarees, bangles, and red tika, women sing and dance to traditional folk songs for days.
The origin of the Teej festival (myths behind the celebration)
After Parbati fasted for Teej, intending to get Lord Shiva as a bridegroom, there is a belief that Teej has become prevalent. Today, Shiva temples and shrines have a special crowd of pilgrims. For a long time, the king of the Himalayas had a beautiful daughter named Parbati, who intensely esteemed the Hindu god, Shiva. But the king decided to marry Parbati to the wealthy Lord Vishnu. Ignoring the marriage proposal, Parbati successfully escaped from the house and hid in the forest. From that day, she led a monastic life. Upon hearing this, Lord Shiva was surprised and decided to test her seriousness. He changed his appearance as the rich Vishnu to see Parbati, trying to entice her to marry him. However, Parbati still remained unruffled. Shiva was so surprised and impressed by her determination that he revealed his identity. At last, Parbati realized and married Shiva. Parbati was so happy and grateful to her friends that she held a party to celebrate this happy ending. This is the origin of Haritalika Teej.
How is the Teej festival celebrated?
The Teej festival lasts for three days, including enjoying a grand feast popular as Dar Khane Din, observing stringent fasting, bathing in the holy river, presenting traditional performances, and praying to Lord Shiva. The three days are categorized as feast days, fasting days, and Rishi Panchami.
Three Days Of Teej Festival
First Day: The first day is called,” Dar Khani deen” or it is a kind of grand feast. It is given to all the women by their other family members or especially by the men. This day women do get free from work as they attend a different program organized by the other women. They share all their happiness and grief through singing and dancing with the respective song. Aside of this they eat a lot of variety and enjoy the moment.
Second Day: The second day is about fasting. This day all women keep fast with a belief that their devotion to the God will bless them longevity, prosperity, and peace of their family and husband. Unmarried women observe in the hope of being blessed with a good husband. Most of the women visit Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu, to worship Lord Shiva. This means completion of that day fasting.
Third Day: The third or the last day is an important day of the woman. This day is called Rishi Panchami. After making the previous day’s Puja, the woman pays homage to seven saints or sage, offer prayer to the deities, and take a bath with red mud found under the sacred Datiwan tree along with its leaves. This act is a purification of the final ritual of this festival and after they are considered absolved from all their sins. So, this Teej is a really interesting festival of Nepal and important for all married and unmarried women. If you are interested, you can join with them to celebrate and its make your travel more exciting during the Nepal staying.
In order to protect the traditional culture, the government of Nepal has made the Teej festival a national holiday. Although Teej is widely deemed as a women’s festival, it is very important for both men and women. Just as women have been allowed to fast for their husbands and future husbands, there is no such thing as a fast dedicated to women. However, by bearing their responsibilities, men can be more responsible for women, increase their love and harmony, and sustain their love for as long as they live.
