KATHMANDU, Sept 12: The 'Teej' festival, also celebrated as the 'Haritalika', is being observed by Nepali Hindu women today throughout the country.
Women fast and wish for a prosperous life of their spouse on this festival which falls on the third dark day of the lunar month according to Nepali month Bhadau. Women rejoice with various delicious dishes known as 'Dar' a day before 'Teej' and fast on the next day as per the tradition.
The three day festivity begins with 'Dar' on the second day of the fortnight in the month of Bhadau and is marked with fasting and cultural programs next day.
Women on this day take ritual baths in the morning and offer worship while in the evening. They pay homage to Lord Shiva, light lamps and spend the night awake.
The festivity comes to an end on the fifth day of fortnight after worshiping the legendary 'Saptarishi' (seven sages).
This unique festival of Nepali women is also a celebration of sisterhood as sisters gather at natal home and indulge in jubilant dancing and singing.
The legend has it that Parbati, the daughter of Himalayas, was on her maiden fast, wishing for the health and the well being of her spouse, Lord Shiva. Since then the same day has been recognized as the Haritalika Teej.
Married women put on bangles, ‘Pote’ (a necklace made of glass beads), ‘Tilahari’ and ‘Sindur’ (crimson powder) considered the symbols of good luck and dress themselves up in red saris or other red outfits and adorn themselves with different kinds of ornaments.
Both married and unmarried women perform various ‘pujas’ (worships) and observe fasting, praying for fulfillment of their wish for a happy and prosperous conjugal life.
The Pashupatinath temple in the capital sees overwhelming number of women devotees this day.
Teej a symbol of social unity: Prez Bhandari
Teej takes
Meanwhile, President Bidya Devi Bhandari has expressed her best wishes to all sisters at home and abroad on the occasion of Haritalika (Teej) terming this festival a symbol of cultural tolerance and social unity.
In a message today, President Bhandari has expressed her best wishes for happiness, peace prosperity and social unity and goodwill. Saying that Nepali women offer Pooja to lord Shiva and goddess Parbati by fasting for their good fortune and family members' prosperity, President Bhandari stated that this festival is supporting to maintain unity among diversity, religious tolerance and social goodwill by uniting all in a single thread.
The President, in her message, has suggested that unique qualities should be preserved while marking the festivals and added, "The festivals being marked in our multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural country have preserved and promoted our own unique norms and values, cultures, arts, costumes, songs and music".
Likewise, the President has said that austerity measures should be applied while marking the festivals by considering today's national need of rapid economic development and social transformation. RSS
