Teej : One of the festivals of Nepali culture celebrated on Bhadra Shuklapaksha Tritiya, is considered as the important festival for women among the Hindu religion. Teej is a female-oriented popular Hindu festival that rejoices in the union of the Hindu power-duo Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Mostly, married and pious women celebrate this festival with lots of enthusiasm for the long life and prosperity of their husbands. Likewise, unmarried girls are also fond of taking fast and praying to Lord Shiva for getting a good life partner like him.
History and Mythology:
Long time ago, the king of Himalaya had a beautiful daughter named Parvati, who was very intelligent and deeply admired the Hindu God of Destruction and Creation, Shiva. But the king decided to marry Parvati to the wealthy Vishnu. With the assistance of her friends, Parvati successfully escaped from the house and hid in the thick forest. From then on, she led an ascetic life. Upon hearing this, Shiva was so surprised and decided to test her sincerity. He disguised as the rich Vishnu and rode a gorgeous carriage to see Parvati, trying to lure her to marry him. However, Parvati still remained unmoved. Shiva was so impressed by her determination and revealed his identity. At last, Parvati realized her dream and married Shiva. Owing to her friends' help, Parvati could get rid of the arranged marriage. She was very grateful to them and held a party to celebrate this happy ending. This is the origin of Teej Festival.
Celebration:
Teej; is especially celebrated for three days that includes Dar Khane Din (Grand feast), Haritalika Teej (Rigid Fasting Day) and Rishi Panchami (Holy Bath). All the days have its own significance.
1. Dar Khane Din:
On this day all the family members especially the women, both married and unmarried gather at one place, in their finest outfits of red called "Saubhagya". When the night falls, they'll make a hearty meal and prepare tasty sweets. They all will gather together with foods and drinks, perform traditional dances and sing devotional songs. Those celebrations continue till the midnight.
2. Haritalika Teej:
This day holds the great importance out of all other days. After having a warm bath, women will wear gold and silver jewellery and dress in their red wedding sarees. Then they head in groups to Shiva temples nearby and offer flowers and fruits to Lord Shiva. One of the most important things here is to make a wish for the healthy life of their husbands and families. The unmarried girls also follow Teej rituals to pray for a good husband like Lord Shiva. Some women take it very rigid, they even live without a piece of food and drops of water while some others take liquid and fruit. The next most important part of the pooja is mostly done in the evening by burning the oil lamp (108 sute batti in a diyo) which should be burning throughout the night. Women get up early in the dawn and get cleaned and do the pooja once again to the diyo and goddess Parvati. Only after this pooja, women take solid food.
3. Rishi Panchami:
After paying homage to seven saints, Nepali women would bath with red mud found on the roots of the sacred datiwan bush, along with its leaves. This symbolic bath will absolve them of all sins. After three hours of rigorous cleansing, they come out purified and absolved from all sins. After this they sit in a semicircle position while a priest sitting in the middle chants devotional prayers. Then they go to worship the god Ganesh, so that their wishes made in the previous day can be achieved. On this day, women can enjoy a sumptuous meal. Many dishes are unique to this festival, such as a special bean soup or Karkalo with puree.
Teej Festival is the first grand festival coming at the end of the rainy season. It is believed that womens observe this festival to have long and firm relationship with her husband throghtout this life till death and all the lives to come.
Although Teej is a festival of mythological significance, it also has its own cultural and social importance. Moreover, Teej is a cultural festival in which women dance and sing songs at home, temples and nearby public places. Although modernity seeks to introduce some distortions, this festival helps to present the pains and sufferings of women in a contemporary way.
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