Kathmandu: The festival of ‘Teej’, also known as ‘Haritalika’, is being celebrated with enthusiasm across the country today, with particular participation from women.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the festival is observed on the third day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Bhadra, as per the lunar calendar. Women, who are the primary participants, engage in fasting rituals with hopes of ensuring longevity and prosperity for their spouses.
The three-day festival kicks off with ‘Dar’ on the second day of the fortnight in Bhadra, featuring fasting and cultural activities the following day. Women enjoy an array of dishes known as ‘Dar’ the day before ‘Teej’ and adhere to fasting practices the next day in keeping with tradition.
On the day of Teej, women take ritual baths in the morning and conduct evening worship. They honor Lord Shiva, illuminate oil-fed lamps, and remain awake throughout the night. The celebrations conclude on the fifth day of the fortnight with worship dedicated to the legendary ‘Saptarishi’ (seven sages).
The festival is also a time for celebrating sisterhood, as sisters reunite at their parental homes, engaging in dancing and singing. Married women wear bangles, ‘Pote’ (glass bead necklaces), ‘Tilahari’, and ‘Sindur’ (crimson powder), which are considered symbols of good fortune. They dress in red saris or other red attire and adorn themselves with various ornaments.
Both married and unmarried women participate in pooja ceremonies and fasting, praying for a happy and prosperous marital life. Shiva temples, including the Pashupatinath Temple in the capital, witness a large influx of women devotees on this day.