Teej festival also known as Haritalika Teej is one of the most elegant festivals of Nepal celebrating the end of rainy season. In this particular period of the year, young and unmarried women believe in a bright future in marriage while, the married women pray for their husband’s health and long life. Teej is mainly a festival of womenfolk and is celebrated in honor of Goddess Parvati and her marriage with Lord Shiva. The festival is held for three days in August or September during which all women in Nepal wear red sarees, bangles, and have red tika on their foreheads singing and dancing to local songs.
To please and get blessings of Goddess Parvati, women offer prayers, songs and even dances to seek their desired wishes especially a happy married life. This is a special moment when married women are invited to their parental homes to celebrate the event and therefore makes the case special for them. As Hariyali Teej, the festival is joyous and is observed in some of the regions of India.
The very spirit of this festival is the search of the Lord Shiva’s favour in the matter of a good husband and wishing him good health and long life. One of the important fasting ritual culturally performed on this Teej is of women swinging and they get gifted from their family members some new clothes or accessories. Dar is a magnificent dinner which is followed by a 24-hour vegan fast for women, during which they do not even receive water. One can only admire young women of various age and dancing for hours, whether it is sunny, or raining, without eating, or even drinking. New songs and folk anthems are thus always included in the lively festivity of Teej with music being central to Teej’s soul.
Teej being an essential cultural event in Nepal, it has been honored and officially embraced by the Nepali government to the extent of beingcelebrated as a public holiday. What is considered as the women’s only festival can actually involves both the genders in one way or the other. While it is not customary for men to fast for women, they can express their love and commitment, which will foster love and togetherness. Teej will be on September 6, 2024 when it will be Friday.
Myths Behind the Teej Festival
Most people now accept the theory that Teej started from Parbati’s fast in order to get Lord Shiva as her husband. In the present time of the festival, Shiva temples and shrines offered to the deity gets crowded with pilgrims. There is the legend which states that once upon the time, there was a king who ruled the Himalayas, and he had a beautiful daughter named Parbati. But the king desired to marry her to the rich man called as Lord Vishnu. Refusing such a life, Parbati left her family and left to the forest where she chose the life of a nun.
When lord Shiva came to know of this he was surprised and wanted to test this girl who had left her home alone to commit such an act. The Lower form impersonated Lord Vishnu and went unto Parbati to find out whether she could be induced to marry him. Parbati on the other hand did not wane in her commitment at all. Despite this attitude, Shiva was impressed with her determination having made up her mind of what she wanted to do. Therefore one day Parbati identified him and they lived together as husband and wife. Parbati was happy thanking her friends for supporting her and organized a party which is celebrated today known as the Haritalika Teej.
How is the Teej festival celebrated?
Teej lasts for three days – a cultural meal referred to as Dar Khane Din, fasting very strictly, going for river baths, dancing and chanting praises to Lord Shiva. These three days are decided as feast day, fasting day and Rishi Panchami.
Day 1:
The first day is known as the Dar Khane Din, and the female participants wear lovely red dress. They sing folk songs, dance, and eat special Non Dairy Product meal known as ‘Dar,’ which consists of dairy product dishes. This day is used in parties and other celebrations with families and other family members before the fasting starts. Nepali women residing in other countries have also followed this tradition with minor celebrations for the same. Different types of dishes contain foods and they are placed in bowls.
Day 2:
The second day is the day of fasting. As a part of purification process, women put on pieces of silver or gold ornaments and wear red sarees. They then go to other Shiva Temples in groups, offering flowers and fruits to Lord Shiva as a symbol of thanks giving. It is interesting to know that all these women go without food from the morning till evening as if nothing has been eaten. This is done under the assumption that it will result in good fortune for the respective husbands. In the evening, they take fresh fruits and water with crystallized sugar indicating how much they believe and desire to have a better life.
Day 3:
The last day of Teej is called Rishi Panchami which is believed to be the most auspicious day of Teej. To be precise, women wake up at dawn to embark on a purification process after which they wash with red clay, which is got from the roots of the Datiwan tree and its leaves, which are believed to wash the women even from their sins. They then offer money, food and other items of seven Hindu saints or Rishis with very pure intention of mind. Lord Ganesh is also worshipped on this day with faith and even the wishes, which were made on the previous day, are full filled. Traditional foods such as bean soup, mutton soup and various special desserts culinary being prepared and served as part of the celebrations.
Teej in Pashupatinath Temple
Most of married and unmarried women are young and full of energy wearing red clothes while enjoying Teej festival in Pashupatinath temple which is very ancient temple. This place is considered as one of the most holiest places for woman to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva. Red becomes the popular color in this special day, as Nepali women make an effort to be joyful in hopes of capturing Shiva’s attention. In Hindu mythology, Pashupati represents Lord Shiva in his form as the protector of animals. People come to this temple to honor Lord Shiva and pray for the well-being and happiness of their families.
Each year, thousands of Nepali women visit Pashupatinath during Teej, worshiping and dancing throughout the day to mark the special occasion of Haritalika Teej.
As one of Nepal’s most important festivals for women, Teej provides a unique cultural experience, especially if you're in Nepal around August. However, due to Malamas (the extra month with no festivals), Teej will be celebrated on September 6th, 2024 (Bhadra 21, 2081). For more details about the Teej festival in Nepal, feel free to contact us.
