TEEJ LIVE FROM SANO PASHUPATI #jatralivenepal

Teej is one of the most significant and vibrant festivals celebrated by Hindu women in Nepal and parts of India. It is a three-day-long festival that celebrates marital bliss, the well-being of one's spouse and children, and the purification of one's own body and soul. Given that today is August 26, 2025, the main day of Hartalika Teej just passed a couple of days ago, on Sunday, August 24th. The celebrations, especially Rishi Panchami, may still be concluding. Here’s a breakdown of what Teej is all about, especially in the context of Nepal: Significance of Teej The festival commemorates the union of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati fasted and prayed for many years to win Lord Shiva as her husband. Her devotion impressed him, and he took her as his wife. Teej celebrates this devotion. Married women observe the fast for the long life and prosperity of their husbands, while unmarried women pray for a good husband like Lord Shiva. The Three Main Days of Teej Teej in Nepal is primarily a three-day celebration: 1. Dar Khane Din (The Day of Feasting) This is the first day, which falls the day before the main fast. The name literally means "Day to Eat Dar." What is Dar? It is a grand feast, rich with delicious and nutritious foods. The menu typically includes a variety of Nepali dishes like kheer (rice pudding), sel roti, mutton curry, and a mix of vegetables. The Celebration: Women, dressed in their finest clothes (often red), gather at their maternal homes or with friends and relatives. They feast, sing traditional Teej songs (Teej ko Geet), and dance late into the night. The idea is to eat well to have enough strength for the next day's strict fast. 2. Hartalika Teej (The Fasting Day) This is the main day of the festival. The Fast (Vrat): Many women undertake a strict 24-hour fast, abstaining from both food and water. This is known as a nirjala vrat. Some may opt for a less strict fast, consuming fruits and liquids. Rituals: Women dress up beautifully, almost like brides, predominantly in red saris, and wear jewelry like pote (glass beads) and red bangles. Red is considered an auspicious color symbolizing love and marriage. Worship: They visit Shiva temples, especially the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, to offer prayers, flowers, and holy water to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. They spend the day singing and dancing with fellow devotees, sharing stories and celebrating sisterhood. 3. Rishi Panchami (The Fifth Day of the Lunar Fortnight) This is the final day of the Teej festivities. Purpose: This day is dedicated to seeking forgiveness from the Saptarishis (the seven great sages) for any sins committed, particularly those unknowingly committed during menstruation, which is traditionally considered a period of impurity. Rituals: Women wake up early and perform a purification ritual. They take a holy bath, often in a river, and brush their teeth with a twig from a sacred plant called Datiwan. After the bath, they perform a special puja (worship) to the seven sages. Modern Teej In recent years, Teej has evolved. While its religious core remains, it has also become a powerful occasion for female bonding and expression. Social Gathering: Teej parties and gatherings are now common for weeks leading up to the festival. Teej Songs: The traditional songs often spoke of a woman's hardships in her husband's home. Modern Teej songs have diversified, often carrying messages of social awareness, women's empowerment, and sometimes even political satire. Celebration of Sisterhood: For many, Teej is less about the strictness of the fast and more about an opportunity to leave their daily chores, meet with their friends and sisters, and celebrate their shared culture and experiences.