Teej Festival
Teej is one of the most significant festivals for Hindu women, celebrating and praying for the longevity of their husbands. Observed in August according to the Nepali calendar (Bhadra), the festival spans three days and is marked by traditional customs and cultural practices.
Origins of Teej Festival
According to Hindu mythology, specifically the Shree Swosthani Bratakatha, the festival traces back to a story involving Parvati. Fearing that her father, Himalaya, would fulfill his promise to Vishnu by giving her hand in marriage, Parvati fled to the forest with her friends. There, she prayed fervently to Shiva, asking to be married to him. Shiva granted her wish, and it was on this day that Parvati received her desired husband. Thus, Teej is celebrated by unmarried women hoping for a good husband and by married women praying for their husbands’ long, healthy, and prosperous lives.
Day 1: Dar Khana Din
The first day of Teej is known as Dar Khana Din. Women prepare and purchase food early in the morning, gathering with friends and family to cook and enjoy a feast of delicious foods and sweets by midnight. The day is filled with traditional folk songs and dances, with participants dressed in colorful saris. The celebration continues until midnight.
Day 2: Fasting
The second day is dedicated to fasting. Many women abstain from food and water, with married women observing the fast strictly to ensure their husbands’ longevity, peace, and prosperity. Unmarried women fast in hopes of finding a good husband. Women dress in traditional attire, including saris and gold ornaments gifted by their husbands (known as shrowa singar), and visit nearby temples to worship Shiva and Parvati. The day is also marked by singing, dancing, and lighting oil lamps throughout the night to pray for the well-being of their families.
Day 3: Ritual Bath in the River
The third day, Rishi Panchami, involves women gathering to take a ritual bath in a nearby river or lake. They use red mud and Datiun roots, an herbal plant, and brush their teeth with the Datiun. This practice is meant to cleanse both the body and soul after menstruation. During the day, women worship with the help of priests at their homes or in temples, and the festival concludes with more singing and dancing. It is a time for women to reconnect, share their joys and sorrows, and celebrate together.
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