Nepali Hindus Celebrate Teej Festival with Fasting and Worship

The festival of ‘Teej,’ also known as ‘Haritalika,’ is being observed across Nepal today, primarily by Hindu women. Falling in the lunar month of Bhadau, this three-day festival celebrates womanhood, marital happiness, and sisterhood. Women observe a strict fast, praying for the longevity and prosperity of their spouses.

The festivities begin with ‘Dar,’ a feast enjoyed a day before Teej, followed by fasting and cultural programs the next day. On Teej, women take ritual baths, worship Lord Shiva, and light oil-fed lamps, staying awake throughout the night. The festival ends on the fifth day with a tribute to the legendary ‘Saptarishi’ (seven sages).

Teej is also a celebration of sisterhood, where women gather at their natal homes for dancing, singing, and rituals. Married women wear traditional red saris, bangles, ‘Pote’ (glass bead necklaces), and ‘Sindur’ (crimson powder) as symbols of marital bliss.

The legend behind Teej traces back to Goddess Parvati’s maiden fast for Lord Shiva’s well-being, which led to the tradition of fasting and worship. Temples, including Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, see large gatherings of female devotees today.

In honor of the festival, the Government has declared a public holiday for women across the country.