Teej being celebrated across the country today

Kathmandu, Sept 6: The festival of ‘Teej’, also known as the ‘Haritalika’, is being observed by the Nepali Hindus, especially women throughout the country today.

The festival falls on the dark half of the lunar month that falls in the month of Bhadau in the Lunar calendar. The revellers of this festival, mostly women, observe fast wishing for longevity and a prosperous life for their spouse.

The three-day festivity begins with ‘Dar’ on the second day of the fortnight in the month of Bhadra and is marked with fasting and cultural programs the next day. Women rejoice with various delicious dishes known as ‘Dar’ a day before ‘Teej’ and fast on the next day as per the tradition.

Women on this day take ritual baths in the morning and offer worship in the evening. They pay homage to Lord Shiva, light oil-fed lamps and spend the night awake.

The festivity comes to an end on the fifth day of the fortnight after worshipping the legendary ‘Saptarishi’ (seven sages).

This unique festival of Nepali women is also a celebration of sisterhood as sisters gather at their natal homes and indulge in jubilant dancing and singing.

The legend has it that Parbati, the daughter of the Himalayas, was on her maiden fast, wishing for the health and well-being of her spouse, Lord Shiva. Since then the same day has been recognized as the Haritalika Teej.

Married women put on bangles, ‘Pote’ (a necklace made of glass beads), ‘Tilahari’ and ‘Sindur’ (crimson powder) considered the symbols of good luck and dress themselves up in red saris or other red outfits and adorn themselves with different kinds of ornaments.

Both married and unmarried women perform various pooja and observe fasting, praying for fulfillment of their wish for a happy and prosperous conjugal life.

Shiva temples including the Pashupatinath Temple in the capital sees an overwhelming number of women devotees this day.

To mark the occasion, the Government has also announced a public holiday today for women only.

In the Meantime, President Ram Chandra Paudel has said the Teej festival helps create social harmony, fraternity, integrity and unity among all Nepalis.

In a message of best wishes on the occasion of the haritalika teej today, President Paudel viewed the festival would inspire all of us for work together to end all sorts of discrimination, violence and social ills against women.

The day is celebrated by the Hindu women living across the world. They observe fasting on this day, which bears both religious and cultural significance. “Nepali sisters observe the teej festival by worshiping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati,” the Head of the State reminded, adding that women are regarded as the supreme beings in terms of nature and creation. Teej is is also the festival that helps promote religious tolerance, according to him.

President Paudel has, in the message, wished peace, prosperity, happiness and close family ties to all Nepali women and sisters at home and abroad on this occasion. Similarly, he pointed out the need of keeping originality to the celebration of this cultural festival.