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“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
Nepal is a diverse country known worldwide for its vibrant culture.
So it’s no surprise that Nepal celebrates a colourful range of festivals throughout the year.
One of these celebrations is the Teej Festival.
Teej Festival is an annual Hindu celebration dedicated to the Goddess Parvati.
Keep reading to learn more about why and how the Teej Festival is celebrated in Nepal.
Why is the Teej Festival celebrated in Nepal?
Teej Festival is a festival celebrated primarily by Hindu women.
It usually takes place in August or early September depending on the lunar calendar.
In, Teej Festival will take place on September 19th.
This holiday holds both religious and cultural importance for Hindu women.
It is a day where many Hindu women fast, pray and seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati.
Teej Festival is believed to cleanse the mind, body and soul.
How is Teej Festival celebrated?
Red Clothing
Weeks of preparation are carried out by women and girls in Nepal during the lead up to Teej Festival.
This includes preparing clothing for the celebration.
One of the most distinctive features of Teej Festival is the red attire.
Women wear beautiful red saris, bangles, and other accessories.
They were red as it symbolises marital bliss.
Fasting
On Teej day, women fast from food and water until the moon rises.
This fast is seen as a way to show their love and commitment to their husbands.
It is believed that the sincere observance of this fast will ensure a long and happy married life.
Puja (Worship) and Visiting Temples:
Temples dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva are popular places to visit during Teej celebrations.
Women visit these temples to offer prayers and seek blessings.
The main puja involves lighting oil lamps, offering flowers, and performing religious rituals.
Feasting and Reunion:
As the sun sets and the moon rises, fasting is broken with a grand feast.
Families come together to break the fast by enjoying traditional Nepali dishes.
These include dishes such as sel roti, puri, and various sweets.
Dance, Music, and Mehendi:
Dance and music are at the heart to every Teej celebration.
Women come together in friend groups to dance to traditional music.
Additionally, applying mehendi (henna) on hands and feet is a common practice during Teej.
Beautiful henna designs are created, adding to an already vibrant and colourful celebration.
Teej Festival in Nepal is a beautiful mix of tradition, and celebration.
It is a day when women come together to express their love and devotion to Goddess Parvati and to celebrate their relationships.
The festival not only deepens cultural roots but also strengthens the bonds of family and community.
Teej serves as a vibrant testament to the enduring traditions and the enduring spirit of the people of Nepal.
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Teej Festival
The moon’s cycle determines when Teej is celebrated each year.
The festival is celebrated in July or August annually, in India’s monsoon season.
The festival is celebrated in numerous states, primarily in central and northern regions of the country – though only in Haryana is it an official public holiday.
It’s celebrated in states such as Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital city, is home to some of Teej’s most well-known festivities.
Teej represents the ties between wife Parvati and husband Shiva.
The festival commemorates Parvati’s unwavering dedication to her husband.
When Indian women look for her blessings during Teej, they do so as a means of achieving a strong marriage — and quality husband.
Not only does Teej center around a strong marriage, but it also focuses on the happiness and health of children.
The name “Teej” is thought to be a reference to a tiny red insect that comes out from the ground during monsoon season.
Hindu myths believe that when that happened, Parvati visited Shiva’s residence.
This sealed their connection as man and woman.
During Teej, women put on their best accessories and attire.
They also often get henna or mehendi decorations on their hands.
They sing many songs that are associated with the festival.
They swing on swings that are fastened to big tree branches.
They experience a combination of fasting and lavish, sumptuous feasts, too.
Dancing is yet another typical Teej activity.
Not only does Teej focus on marriage and family ties, but it also focuses on the monsoons.
Monsoons give the people welcome rest from the intense heat of the summer months.
Teej Festival
Teej Festival – Teej is one of the most sacred Hindu festivals observed in India.
It is observed in different parts of the country by the womenfolk to seek blessings for their husband’s long life.
Teej honours the devotion of Ma Parvati who underwent penance for years to become the consort of Shiva.
Women seek her blessings for a happy married life and unmarried girls fast to attain an exemplary husband like Shiva.
There are three types of Teej celebrated in India.
These are Haryali Teej, Hartalika Teej and Kajri Teej.
The Hariyali Teejalso known as ‘Chhoti Teej ’held in the Shravana.
This is followed by Kajari Teej also called ‘Badi Teej’, held after fifteen days of Hariyali Teej.
The third type of Teej, Haritalika Teej falls in the ‘Bhado’ month and is held almost a month after Haryali Teej.
Though customs may differ from state to state, the unifying factor is that women of all state seek the blessings of marital happiness and long life of their husband.
History and Origin of Teej
Etymologically, the festival ‘Teej’ gets its name from a small red insect called ‘Teej’ that makes its appearance during the monsoon.
Teej has been observed for several years.
According to Hindu mythology, this day marks the occasion of Maa Parvati coming to Shiva’s abode as his consort.
Teej is symbolic of the love, devotion and respect for a Hindu woman’s husband, as Ma Parvati underwent extreme penance over several births for 108 years to win over Lord Shiva.
Another legend is that a forest in Central India was once ruled by King Dadurai, whose wife Sati Nagamati performed Sati by burning herself in a funeral pyre.
The sadness engulfed the people of Kajli who created Raga Kajariin her honour.
Types of Teej
There are three types of Teej.
These are Haryali Teej, Hartalika Teej and Kajri Teej.
Hariyali Teej
Haryali Teej is pre-dominantly followed in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and also in some parts of Haryana, Punjab and Bihar.
It is held in the Shraavan month.
The greenery during the Shraavan month forms the perfect setting for performing traditional songs and dancing during Haryali Teej.
The Hariyali Teej of Vrindawan is known for its festive air, as Krishna and Radha’s idols are especially decorated and the golden swing is displayed which attracts visitors from all over the world.
Women offer prayers to goddess Parvati and after the prayers they sing the folk songs of marital bliss. In many places, fairs are also organized.
Kajri Teej
Kajari Teej also known as Badi Teej is celebrated on the third day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.
Kajri Teej gets its name from the blackish hue of clouds that signal the onset of rains.
Kajri Teej is celebrated in Madhya Pradesh and in Uttar Pradesh, especially Mirzapur and Varanasi.
Hartalika Teej
Hartalika Teej takes its name from the name ‘Hartalika’ by which Ma Parvati is known. The festival coincides with the first fortnight of the Bhadrapad month.
It is native to the Northern and western parts of India and is celebrated in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and is some parts of Maharashtra.
Teej rituals and puja process
Women gather in a place to install the idol of Ma Parvati and offer flowers, fruits, sweets, ‘sindoor’ or vermillion.
On or two persons read out the Teej Vrat Katha.
Unmarried girls also devotedly listen to the Katha.
In some places, after the ‘puja’ women follow the custom of bathing themselves with mud around the Datiwan plant to be rid of their bad karma.
A very important ritual is to light an oil lamp that is supposed to be lit uninterruptedly through the night.
Some women do ‘vrata’ or fast by consuming only fruits and some do ‘nirjala’ vrata without a drop of water and also refrain from sleep.
During Kajri Teej, women gather around the holy neem tree and pay obeisance to the neem plant.
Customs
Women apply ‘mehendi’ (floral patterns made with henna paste) on their hands and feet, wear beautiful sarees with matching bangles and ornaments on this day.
Usually, green is the more favoured colour especially during ‘Hariyali Teej’.
Those observing Teej get cosmetic items and jewellery for ‘Shringara’ by their parents. Women offer decorated coconut to their relatives.
They visit their maternal home and seek the blessings of the elderly and enjoy a get together with family members.
Teej dance imitates the beautiful dance of the peacock during the rains.
Women take turns while singing in swings bedecked with flowers.
Songs that are paeans to the monsoon season and marital happiness, and others that are reminiscent of lovers’ woes of separation are sung, especially during Kajri Teej.
One of the main attractions of Kajari Teej of Bundi in Rajasthan is the procession wherein the Teej Goddess is taken through the city.
The procession starts from Naval Sagar in an ornamented palanquin.
Cultural folk music and dance performances are held in Bundi, Rajasthan.
Food
A variety of regional traditional sweet dishes are made such as ‘ghevar’, ‘kheerpuri’, ‘nariyalladdoo’, ‘badamkahalwa’, ‘sheera’, ‘gujiya’ and ‘kajukatli’ are prepared during Teej, as family members and groups of married women get together.
History and Origin of Teej Teej in Hindi literally means “three” it is the third day of the month.
According to the Hindu calendar there are two teej in every month (30 days).
Special significance is given to teej (or the third day) of special months.
The Hindu festival of Teej is marked by fasting of women who pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati seeking their blessings for marital bliss.
It is a series of festivals that occur during the Hindu month of Shravana or Sawan and Bhadrapada or Bhado, that corresponds to the Indian monsoon season of July – August – September.
History and Origin of Teej
It is believed that the name of this festival comes from a small red insect called ‘Teej’ that emerges from the earth during the monsoon season.
Hindu mythology has it that on this day, Parvati came to the Shiva’s abode, marking the union of the husband and wife.
Teej symbolizes the reunion of Shiva and his wife Parvati.
It exemplifies the sacrifice of a wife to win the mind and heart of the husband.
According to myths, Parvati carried out a rigorous fast for 108 years to prove her love and devotion for Shiva, before he accepted her as his wife.
Some scriptures say that she was born 107 times before she was reborn as Parvati, and at her 108th birth she was granted the boon to be the wife of Shiva because for her long penance and perseverance over many births.
Hence, Teej is celebrated to honor the devotion of Parvati, who is also known as ‘Teej Mata,’ by those who observe this auspicious day when women seek her blessings for a happy married life and a good husband like Shiva.
Teej – A Regional Monsoon Festival
Teej is not a pan-Indian festival. It is mainly celebrated in Nepal and the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab in various forms.
In northern and western India, Teej celebrates the arrival of monsoon following the hot months of summer.
It has a broader significance in the western Indian arid state of Rajasthan as it is observed to provide relief from the scorching heat of summer.
Rajasthan Tourism organizes a Teej fair called ‘Sawan Mela’ or ‘Monsoon Festival’ every year to showcase the customs and traditions of the state during this time.
It is also celebrated in Hindu Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, where Teej is a major festival.
At the famous Pashupati Nath Temple in Kathmandu, women circumambulate the Shiva Linga and perform a special Puja of Shiva and Parvati.
The 3 Types of Teej
There are three types of Teej festivals celebrated during the monsoon months.
The first is the Hariyali Teej aka Chhoti Teej or Shravana Teej, which falls on Shukla Paksha Tritiya or the third day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu monsoon month of Shravana.
This is followed by Kajari Teej aka Badi Teej, which comes after 15 days of Hariyali Teej.
The third type of Teej, Haritalika Teej comes one month after Hariyali Teej, which is observed during Shukla Paksha Tritiya, or the third day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.
(Please note that Akha Teej does not belong to this category of festivals as it is another name of Akshaya Tritiya or Gangaur Tritiya.
Hariyali teej
Hariyali Teej also called Teejen is celebrated with extreme mirth and devotion by womenfolk.
It falls in the Shukla Paksha of Shravana, corresponding to the month of August.
As the name says, Hariyali Teej relates to greenery.
On this day, many women clad themselves in green colored clothes and wear green bangles.
A special puja is performed to worship moon.
Traditional singing of songs and dance escalates the verve of Hariyali Teej celebrations.
Hariyali Teej Celebrations
A day before Hariyali Teej, women celebrate ‘Sindhare’.
It is a significant day for newlywed brides.
On her first “Sindhara” after marriage, it is customary to receive clothes and ornaments from her Mother-in-law.
On Hariyali Teej, women gather to worship moon.
The puja performed on this occasion is done with milk, curd and flowers.
Hariyali Teej is mainly related with greenery and commemorates for abundance of greenery and good harvest.
Women wear green colored clothes like lehanga, suits and saris.
They wear green bangles and adorn their hands with beautiful mehendi patterns. Women both married and unmarried enjoy the festive spirit by swinging on adorned swings singing songs relating to the month of Sawan.
Various delicious food items are cooked which is relished by all in the family.
The day is enjoyed with full craze that even the Gujarati women adopt the Rajasthani traditions.
In Gujarat, special Garba dance is arranged.
omen in their traditional clothes, carry pots on their heads and dance singing songs in praise of Goddess Parvati.
In Maharashtra, women wear green bangles, green clothes, golden bindis and kajal for luck.
They distribute beautifully painted coconuts to their female relatives and friends and offer fresh fruit and green vegetables to the goddess as thanks giving.
Kajri teej
Kajari Teej or Badi Teej is a special festival.
It is celebrated throughout the Northern and the Western parts of India.
The celebrations are conducted with much fanfare throughout the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,
Gujarat and Rajasthan. Kajari Teej is celebrated during the Shravana month.
Grand Celebrations on Kajari Teej
The festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm throughout Rajasthan particularly in the city of Bundi.
The city is specially decorated for the day.
The idol of Goddess Parvati is taken in a procession throughout Bundi.
The palanquin carrying the image of Goddess Parvati is accompanied by numerous camels, elephants, musicians and folk dancers.
This adds a unique blend to the festivities and makes the occasion special for devotees.
The celebrations hold special significance for women in Rajasthan and preparations begin days ahead for the festivities.
Young girls perform dances like Kalbeliya, Bhavia and Ghoomar on the occasion of Kajari Teej.
The festival holds a special significance for married women. Women pray for the safety of their husbands on this day.
They sing, dance and stay awake all night to add a distinct touch to the festival.
A lamp is specially lit and it is ensured that the flame does not diminish throughout the night.
Legends associated with Kajari Teej are also shared by the womenfolk among themselves during the course of celebrations.
The celebrations are unique and married women dress especially for the day.
The married women apply mehendi on this day and dress up like a newly wedded girl.
Haritalika teej
Haritalika is the amalgamation of two words ‘Harat’ and ‘Alika’, while Teej means the third day. Therefore, Haritalika Teej is celebrated on the third day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.
The day of Haritalika Teej is popular in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra.
Haritalika Teej is observed by both, married women and maidens.
It is celebrated in the honor of the divine bond between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Hence, Haritalika Teej is followed as the day of reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.
The rituals and traditions associated with the day of Haritalika Teej are:
- On the day of Haritalika Teej, women get up early in the morning and take a holy bath, meant to purify their souls.
- Concluding this, they dress up elegantly in special attires (mostly Saris) and jewelry, and visit temples on Haritalika Teej.
- Women observe a Nirjala fast (even water is not consumed during this fast) on this day. This is also popular as Haritalika Teej Vrat.
- After conducting rituals at a temple, women return home and touch their husbands’ feet (In India, husbands are considered to be equivalent to god for women).
- Before sunset, bath is once again taken by women and they get dressed as newly-wed brides.
- Then, the worshiping rituals resume. Devi Parvati and Lord Shiva idols made of sand and clay are placed at Puja Sthan (worshiping place).
- Offerings of Bilwa leaves, flowers, incense sticks are made to the deities. This is followed by a meditative practice done in the honor of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
- At the end, Haritalika Teej Vrat is recited by the devotees.
- Haritalika Teej Vrat is terminated the next day morning, when a devotee completes all the worshiping rituals.
Significance of Teej
The importance of Teej is mainly two-fold: First, as a festival for women, Teej celebrates the victory of a wife’s love and devotion towards her husband – an important factor in Hinduism – symbolized by the union of Shiva and Parvati.
Second, Teej ushers in the advent of the monsoons – the season of rains bringing in a reason to celebrate when people can take a break from the sweltering heat and enjoy the swing of the monsoon – “Sawan ke jhooley.”
Besides, it’s an occasion for married women to visit their parents and return with gifts for their in-laws and spouse.
So, Teej provides an opportunity to renew family bonds.
Teej Festival
Introduction
A unique festival for women, Teej is primarily celebrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, parts of Uttar pradesh and Bihar.
Teej festival is dedicated to the re-union of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva.
Mostly celebrated among women, Teej festival is celebrated for longevity and well-being of husband and children.
Long swings decorated with flowers, colorfully dressed young girls and women, glittering jewellery, delicious feasts, tough fasting, religious processions and songs & dance mark the gaiety of Teej festival.
Teej festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm. Falling on the onset of monsoon after a long season of oppresive heat, Teej festival in India is also known as ‘Sawan Festival’.
When is Teej Festival
Teej festival comes on the Hindu month of Shravan (July-August) and also in early September.
The dates of celebrating the festival change every year according to the arrival of the monsoon.
There are three kinds of Teej festival :
Haryali Teej
Haryali Teej is celebrated on the beginning of Monsoon season.
Haryali means greenery, so Haryali Teej is associated with good harvest and prosperity.
On this day women dress up in green coloured clothes.
They worship the Moon, Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha.
Kajari Teej
Kajari Teej is celebrated on third day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of Shravan month in Hindu Calendar.
On this day women gather to sing devotional songs and worship neem tree.
Special procession is also organised to worship the beautifully decorated idol of Goddess Parvati.
Hartalika Teej
This form of Teej is the most important occasion during entire Teej festival celebrations.
Hartalika Teej lasts for three days and women observe a fast on the second day that is called Nirjara Fast meaning ‘fast without water’.
Hartalika Teej fast is observed with great devotion for the long life and prosperity of Husbands.
Legend of Teej
The Spirit of Teej symbolises “ideal marriage” highlighting the legend of Goddess Parvati uniting with Lord Shiva after a penance of over hundred years.
It is believed that Parvati’s blessings lead to marital bliss.
Rituals of Teej
Idols of Goddess Paravati bedecked with new clothes, jewellery are worshiped.
After a ceremonial worship at home, elephants, camels and horses are taken out in a ceremonial process.
Women undergo fast, sing folk songs and dance to express for Goddess Parvati.
It is a belief that fasting unmarried women will luckily find a suitable husband.
Fasting married women would find bond of love with their husbands strengthened.
Celebration of Teej
During Teej, swing ropes on the courtyards decorated with flowers are a common sight.
Newly married girls return to their parents home, receiving clothes from their parents and other male kins.
Rural women buy bangles, bindis, bead-necklaces and consume mouth-watering dishes.
Celebration includes games such as turban-tying and bangle wearing competition.
Teej festival holds a significant place in the religious, cultural, social and climatic life of Indians.
It commemorates the holy reunion of Goddes Parvati with her husband Lord Shiva.
Teej is celebrated to welcome the Monsoon season and is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and deep devotion.
Teej festival also provides strength to the bond of marital life.
What is the Significance of Teej festival in India?
In India, different festivals are held to commemorate various seasons.
The monsoon season is also very auspicious and important for many Indian communities, as agriculture employs the majority of the population and relies on rainfall for irrigation.
We have many reasons to rejoice at the arrival of this season and one of the ways to do it is by celebrating Teej.
Through the festival of Teej, Hindu women, and girls celebrate the abundance of nature, greenery, and rain by indulging in music, dance, and other rituals performed along with family and friends.
When is Teej festival celebrated?
The word ‘Teej’ means third, which refers to the third day after the new moon and the third day after the full moon night of every month of the monsoon season.
Therefore, Teej is celebrated on the third day of the waxing (the phase from a new moon to a full moon) and waning moons (the phase from a full moon and new moon) of the Hindu months of Shravan and Bhadrapad.
There are three Teej festivals, known as Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej.
1. Hariyali Teej:
Hariyali means greenery. Hence, Hariyali Teej is celebrated to cherish the abundance of greenery brought by the rains.
It also represents the richness and satisfaction of a happy married life.
Since it falls in the month of Shravan, it is also known as Sindhara Teej or Shravan Teej.
It is commonly celebrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.
2. Kajari Teej:
Kajari Teej is also known as Boorhi Teej and is celebrated on the third day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapad.
Especially in Uttar Pradesh, women pray to Lord Shiva during this festival and sing folk songs, known as ‘kajaris’.
There is also a rural fair that is held on this occasion for two days in Bundi, Rajasthan.
Kajari Teej is observed in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Madhya Pradesh.
3. Hartalika Teej:
Hartalika Teej is celebrated on the third day of the bright half of the North Indian lunar month of Bhadrapad.
The word ‘Hartalika’ consists of two words – ‘harit’ meaning ‘abduction’ and ‘aalika’ meaning female friend.
According to a legend, Goddess Parvati’s father was about to marry her to Lord Vishnu against her wish.
So, her friends abducted her and took her into a deep forest because they knew she wanted to marry Lord Shiva.
In the forest, Parvati performed penance and immersed herself in devotion to Shiva for many years.
This story has significance even today, as it highlights the right of women to marry a person of their choice.
Hartalika Teej is mostly celebrated in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand.
The Mythological Significance behind Teej
Along with celebrating nature and monsoon, the festival of Teej is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and her holy union with Lord Shiva.
According to Hindu mythology, Devi Parvati is an incarnation of Sati, Lord Shiva’s first wife.
Sati’s father strongly disapproved of her relationship with Lord Shiva, due to which she decided to sacrifice her life.
Lord Shiva was heartbroken, and Sati had to go through 108 cycles of birth and rebirth to get him to accept her as his wife again.
Goddess Parvati was her 108th birth.
Since then, this day is considered to be auspicious and is celebrated as Teej.
That is why Goddess Parvati is also known as Teej Mata.
Where is it Celebrated?
Teej is observed in different parts of India, especially in the western and northern states and in Nepal.
Each state has its rituals and traditions, yet, the significance remains the same for everyone.
The Sindhi community also celebrates this festival by the name of Teejri.
If you want to experience the festivities of Teej in full swing, head to Jaipur, especially during Hariyali Teej, when the celebrations are the most grandiose.
There is a magnificent two-day procession that goes through the lanes of the Old City.
The idol of Goddess Parvati is carried during the procession and is called Teej Mata ki Sawari.
You will also see decorated elephants, camels, horses, bullock carts, chariots, and dancers.
Customs and Rituals:
Hindus celebrate Teej with great pomp and glory.
Women dance, sing songs and share stories and folklore with family and friends.
Women gather to hear the legends related to the festival called “Teej Katha” and pray for the good health of their husbands.
They apply henna on their hands and dress up in their finest attire and jewellery.
On this occasion, many women observe a full-day fast and pray all night for the well-being of their families.
This fast is a tribute to the penance that Devi Parvati had to go through for more than 100 years till she got married to Lord Shiva again.
The fast is complete only when the moon appears in the sky and is followed by a delicious feast.
Women worship the Goddess and sing special Teej songs with their friends and family. You will also find swings attached to the branches of trees, and women enjoy themselves by taking turns swinging on them.
There is also a custom of lighting an oil lamp throughout the day.
Unmarried girls also take part in the celebrations and pray for a husband of their choice. Girls who are engaged receive gifts like bangles, sweets, and clothes from their to-be in-laws a day before the occasion.
Married women receive gifts from their parents.
Certain traditional foods like sabudana kheer, coconut laddoos, Ghewar (a Rajasthani sweet dish), Dal Bati Churma, Besan Laddoos, and aloo halwa are prepared during this festival.
The festival of Teej is a very elevating and pleasurable occasion.
The rituals and traditions that surround the festival focus on the happiness and well-being of the whole family.
This festival not only brings people together but also holds a special significance for women.
On this day, Goddess Parvati finally got married to the one she wished for after years of penance.
Thus through Teej, women seek her blessings so that they too can have a strong and happy married life, like that of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Celebrations of Teej Festival
Hartalika Teej is also known as “Nepal Women’s Festival” and “Women’s Wishing Festival”.
The events would last for three days, including enjoying a grand feast, observing a rigid fasting, praying to Lord Shiva, bathing in the holy river, presenting traditional performances, etc.
Nepali Women’s Day is generally referred to the second day of Teej Festival.
Day1 Getting together to enjoy the fancy dinner
In the early morning, Nepalese women go to the mall for large purchases.
When the night falls, they’ll make a hearty meal and prepare tasty sweets.
Good friends will gather together with foods and drinks, perform traditional dances and sing devotional songs.
Those celebrations continue till the midnight.
Day2 Observing a one-day fast and praying to Lord Shiva for a good marriage
Today is the fasting day of Teej Festival.
It’s also a public holiday in Nepal.
After having a warm bath, women will wear gold and silver jewelry and dress in their red wedding saris.
Then they head in groups to Shiva temples nearby and offer flowers and fruits to Lord Shiva.
One of the most important things is to make a wish for the healthy life of their husbands and families.
The unmarried girls also follow Teej rituals to pray for a good husband.
The Pashupatinath Temple, located on the bank of the holy Bagmati River, is the most important Hindu temple in Nepal.
During Teej Festival, it is also the top choice for women to worship Lord Shiva.
On the way to Pashupatinath Temple, Nepali women will try to make themselves as happy as possible so as to attract Shiva’s attention.
While touring Kathmandu, you’ll come across women and young girls in exquisite saris everywhere and red has become the theme color.
What’s interesting is that on this day of the festival, all Hindu women can not eat anything from morning till night.
They must fast for the whole day. Pious women believe that it’ll bring the good fortune for their husbands.
And for them, the family is everything.
Surprisingly, under the fasting condition, Nepalese women don’t feel tired after a one-day prayer.
You must be amazed at their devout faith and strong wishes for a better life.
Day 3 Taking a holy bath
The third day is known as Rishi Panchami.
After paying homage to seven saints, Nepali women would bathe with red mud found on the roots of the sacred datiwan bush, along with its leaves.
This symbolic bath will absolve them of all sins.
Then they go to worship the god Ganesh, so that their wishes made in the previous day can be achieved.
On this day, women can enjoy a sumptuous meal.
Many dishes are unique to this festival, such as a special bean soup, exotic mutton soup and desserts made of carrots.
Nepali Teej Festival is the first grand festival coming at the end of the rainy season.
At that time, the sky is clear and sunshine is cozy.
You’ll see Nepali Hindu females singing and dancing at the streets and temples to celebrate the arrival of Teej Festival.
Unmarried girls look forward to a good marriage in the future, and married women pray for the long and healthy life of their husbands.
As time goes by,
non-Hindus and foreign travelers can also participate in the hilarious festival. Besides,
if visiting Nepal from August to September, you are likely to experience another two big festivals, namely, Gai Jatra and Nepal Kumari Festival.
Teej
Teej is a monsoon festival and a welcome relief after the sweltering summer season. Women in India celebrate Teej festival in honor of the Goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva throughout the country.
It is celebrated on the third day after Amavasya (new moon) or on the third day after Poornima (full moon) in the months of Shravan and Bhaadrapad.
In Northern and Western states of Indian three main teej festivals are held in the monsoon season.
In Rajasthan ans some northern states they are known as Haryali Teej, Kajali Teej and Hartalika Teej.
Haryali teej celebrated on teej of Krishna Paksh (period of waning moon) in the month of Shravan (July – August).
Kajali Teej (Main Teej festival) on teej of Krishna Paksh in the month of Bhaadrapad (August – September), and Hartalika teej on the teej of the Shukla Paksh (period of waxing moon) in the month of Bhaadrapad (August – September).
In Gujarat it is celebrated as Gowri Pooja and in Mahashtra the festival is also referred to as Mangala Gowri.
In Maharashtra even though Goddess Gauri is recognized as the sister of Lord Ganesha, she represents Goddess Parvati , the mother of Ganesha.
In the Southern states of India it is celebrated as Swarna Gowri Vratha (day of the golden Goddess Parvati).
Whatever name the festival of teej may be known by in different regions of India it is a celebration in honor of Goddess Parvati and a time when women ask for blessings from her for marital bliss and prosperity for their families.
In Rajasthan, the desert state of India the teej festivals are especially significant.
The blooming of the desert after the monsoons rains fills the parched desert landscape with greenery and color.
As farming communities reap a good harvest the season calls for much celebration.
The hot days of summer give way to cooler days and people are able to go to parks and other picnic spots by lakes to enjoy the outdoors.
Swings are hung from trees so people can enjoy the cool breeze, and singing and dancing along with games are very much part of the merry making.
Prior to the start of any teej festival women apply Mehendi and get ready for the festival.
It is called “Sinjara” in Rajasthan and on this day husbands and family members pamper them and give them with new clothes and gifts.
It is not surprising that the first teej festival of the monsoon season is called Haryali (greenery) Teej or Chhoti (small) Teej.
It is said that Goddess Parvati also known as Teej Mata (Mata = Mother) fell in love with the ascetic Shiva.
She performed penance for 108 years focusing all her love and devotion on Shiva and finally married him.
The devotion and perseverance of Parvati to attain Shiva, her choice for a life partner and their eternal blissful marital relationship is what women pray for on this day.
On this day girls pray to get a husband like Shiva and women seek blessings of Goddess Parvati so that they like her will be always united with their husbands in every birth.
In Brindavan and Uttar Pradesh hariyali teej festival is connected with Lord Krishna and Radha and is known as Jhulan (Swing) Teej or Hindola (swing) Teej.
Radha Krishna images are set up in swings that are beautifully decorated every day.
The festivities last for 13 days and end with Janmashtami.
Kajali Teej also known as Badi (big or main) Teej is celebrated in a grand way.
Women fast all day and pray together in the evening.
A tender small Neem branch is planted in a plate full of water to recreate the water filled lakes and the sweet neem trees around it.
The Nimdi (tender neem branch)(sweet neem) tree represents Goddess Parvati. Women perform pooja and see reflections of “suhaag”
items or marks of a married woman in the water like bangles, chundadi (red saree with tie and dye pattern), nose ring, pearls, and gold, along with lemon and cucumber,
and the sattu (made from either wheat flour, rice or newly harvested chik pea flour and sugar and ghee)(special sweet prepared from newly harvested chick pea flour).
Women offer prayers to the moon at night.
After this the husbands cut the sattu cake and feed their wives to break the fast.
This is always accompanied by much laughter and teasing.
Sattu is also made for the boys of the family.
They boys cut the sattu so that whoever is fasting for their wellbeing can break their fast and hope that they will meet the person destined for them.
Girls fast, prepare sattu, perform pooja and pray to Goddess Parvati to bless them with a husband of their choice.
It is a big family event and the rituals, singing and dancing that accompany this festival is a great reminder to both the husband and wife of their love commitment to each other.
The story connected with Hartalika (harita = abduction, alika = friend) teej is about the time when Goddess Parvati was born as the daughter of Himavan, the kind of the Himalayas.
Right from childhood her heart was set on marrying the great Shiva even though he was an ascetic and always deep in meditation.
She performed severe penances to draw his attention but did not succeed.
One day, Narada approached the king with a proposal from Vishnu who wanted to marry his daughter.
The king who was worried about Parvati’s failed penances accepted the proposal.
This angered Parvati and left home to stay with a friend.
To avoid being found by her father her friend took her to a remote forest where she continued her penance and finally won Shiva’s hand in marriage.
When Himavan her father agrees to the marriage she returns home.
During this three-day festival women hold a nirjala (without water) fast to mimic the severe penances of Parvati and pray to the Goddess to bless them with a husband like Shiva and grant them the same marital bliss she experienced with him.
Just as the life-giving rains rejuvenate the earth during the monsoon season women ask Goddess Parvati to shower them with marital bliss, happiness, and prosperity.