Teej festival being celebrated nationwide with devotion and festivity
Agency: Nepali women across the country are celebrating Teej, also known as Haritalika, with fasting, prayers, and vibrant cultural gatherings today.
The festival, which falls on the third day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadra, is observed mainly by women wishing for the longevity and prosperity of their spouses and families.
The three-day celebration begins with Dar feasts, followed by a day-long fast, prayers, and rituals dedicated to Lord Shiva. Women dress in red saris and ornaments such as pote, tilahari, and sindur, gathering at temples-most prominently Pashupatinath in Kathmandu-for worship, dancing, and singing. The festival concludes with homage to the Saptarishi (seven sages).
This tradition is also regarded as a celebration of sisterhood, as married women return to their parental homes to rejoice with family and friends. Both married and unmarried women observe rituals, seeking blessings for a prosperous and harmonious conjugal life.
Extending his greetings, President Ramchandra Paudel called Teej a festival symbolizing “love, affection, and creativity,” while urging its protection and promotion as part of Nepal’s cultural heritage. He emphasized its role in fostering harmony, unity, and the fight against injustice and discrimination.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, in his message, described Teej as rooted in “devotion, restraint, and self-discipline.” He highlighted its evolving traditions, noting that while fasting was once observed by both husbands and wives, over time it became primarily a women’s practice. He added that fasting also carries health benefits, as supported by science.
