Teej-the Festival of Nepali Women

This is a Hindu married women's day for their men.. This festival falls on the third day of the first fortnight  ( waxing moon) of the Hindu Calendar month-Bhadra which usually falls between August and September. This is truly women' s day in Nepal, most probably the happiest day for them in whole year.

Married women go to their natal home to unite with their mother and sisters and celebrate this festival  together. The previous night of the festival day  women feast heavily and sing and dance.  Women wear colorful clothes and gold-diamond jewelry to look like a new bride at the time of Teej. Many women especially the newlyweds wear their wedding dress on the day. Most prominent colors of Teej are red, pink and green. Married women will also wear Tilahari, a cylindrical gold necklace in glass beads.

The women fast on the day of the festival. Some conservative women even refrain from drinking water or swallowing saliva. They visit the temples in the neighborhood, perform rituals and chant prayers to appease Lord Shiva and  ask for good health, long life and prosperity of their husbands. Those who are still singles do also celebrate the festival with equal zeal in hope of finding nice groom for them.

As per Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati  obtained Lord Shiva as her groom after a penance of her several life.  In her 108th life, finally Lord Shiva recognized her devotion for him and accepted her as his wife.  This is the story for the foundation of the festival.

If your travel to Nepal coincides during  Teej festival, its common to see group of women and girls, all dressed in red sarees and blouses singing and dancing almost everywhere. If you are in Kathmandu, the most spectacular sight today will be the temple premises of Pashupatinath.