Grand Celebrations of ‘Teej’ Festival Bring Joy and Tradition to Nepal

The festive spirit of ‘Teej,’ a significant celebration among Nepali Hindu women, is currently being joyously observed across the country. This festival, which falls on the third day of the dark half of the lunar month in the Nepali month of Bhadau, is steeped in tradition and carries the hopes for a prosperous life.

Commonly referred to as ‘Haritalika Teej,’ this festival sees Hindu Nepalese women offering prayers and performing rituals at revered places like the Pashupatinath Temple and various Lord Shiva temples throughout Nepal. The name ‘Haritalika Teej’ has its roots in Hindu mythology, specifically the ‘Skanda Puran.’ Legend has it that during the ‘Satya Yug’ (the golden era of truth), Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas, was hidden by her attendants on this very day due to her reluctance to marry Lord Vishnu.

The festivities commence a day before ‘Teej,’ with women gathering at their parental homes for a special feast known as ‘Dar.’ On the day of ‘Teej’ itself, women are often seen dancing and singing joyfully, casting aside their worries.

As part of the customs, women adorn themselves with bangles, ‘Pote’ (glass bead necklaces), ‘Tilahari,’ and ‘Sindur’ (vermilion powder), all symbols of good fortune. They dress in vibrant red saris or other red attire and embellish themselves with various ornaments. Morning rituals include ceremonial baths and worship, while in the evening, they pay homage to Lord Shiva, lighting lamps and staying awake through the night.

The final day of the festival involves women performing religious and traditional rituals. This includes bathing using mud and employing 108 stems of ‘Datiwan’ (a sacred plant). They also pay their respects to the legendary ‘Saptarishis’ (seven sages) and offer alms, concluding their fast.

Both married and unmarried women partake in various ‘pujas’ (worship) and observe fasting, seeking the fulfillment of their desires for a harmonious and prosperous married life. Married women, in particular, celebrate Teej with the hope of their husbands’ long and healthy lives, while unmarried women who venerate Lord Shiva and Parvati aspire to find a suitable life partner.