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| Women celebrating Teej by dancing and singing |
Teej: a festival celebrated by Hindu women for the long life
of her husband and marital happiness between them until the death; is the most
famous festival among women. Also celebrated by unmarried women praying for a perfect
husband, Teej is a three-day-long celebration that combines splendid feasts as
well as fasting. Women dress in red and beautiful ornaments, visit temples
and celebrate by dancing and singing with friends and relatives.
Celebrated on
the third day of Bhadra Sukala Paksha (according to Nepal lunar calender), it
generally falls in late August or early September. This year, it falls on 16 September 2015.
Teej is also celebrated
in many parts of India.
According to
the Hindu mythology, on this day, Parvati came to the Shiva's abode, marking
the union of the husband and wife. It exemplifies the sacrifice of a wife to
win the mind and heart of the husband. According to the 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 also
welcomes and celebrates the arrival of monsoon after a season of summer heat.
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| Women waiting in long lines for their turn to pay homage to Lord Shiva at Pashupatinath Temple |
How is it celebrated?
Day one: The first day of Teej is called Dar
Khane Din. On this day the women, married and unmarried, assemble at one place
in their finest attire and start dancing and singing devotional songs mixed
with Nepal folk and Dohori songs. A grand
feast takes place called “Dar”. The fun often goes on till midnight, after
midnight the 24-hour fasting starts.
Day two: It is the main day of Teej where on
this day the women abstain from eating a single morsel or even a few drops of
water. Some women may take liquid or fruits. Both married and unmarried women observe
fasting on this day.
Most of
devotees in Kathmandu go to Pashupatinath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. At
the temple, women worship the Shiva lingam, the symbol of the lord Shiva,
offering flowers, sweets and coins. The main puja takes place with offerings of
flowers, fruits, etc., made to Shiva and Parvati, pleading them to grant their
blessing upon their husband and family.
Though the women fast throughout the day - refusing to take even a
drop of water - Teej brings smiles on the faces of women in the cities and
villages.
Day three: The third day of the festival is Rishi
Panchami. After the completion of the previous day's puja, women pay
homage to seven saints or sages, offer prayers to various deities, and bathe
with red mud found on the roots of the sacred datiwan bush, along with its
leaves. Only after this puja, women take solid food.
Hence with lots of joy and enthusiam, Teej is concluded.
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