Teej

 Teej is observed for marital happiness, well-being of spouse and children and purification of own body and soul. Teej is the most famous festival among Nepali women. Teej is also called Hari Talika Teej. This festival is celebrated by Nepali Hindu women all across the world. Likewise, unmarried girls are also fond of taking fast and praying to Lord Shiva for getting a good life partner like him.Teej is a small red insect that comes out of the soil during the rainy season. It is said Teej got its name from the same red insect. That is why Teej is celebrated in red women’s Festivals.

a) Dar Khane din:

The first day of Teej is called 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 and start dancing and singing devotional songs mixed with Nepali folk and Dohori songs. This evening the grand feast “Dar” takes place. The fun often goes on till midnight, after midnight the 24-hour fasting starts.

b) Second day:

Second day is the main day of Teej. On this day, married or unmarried women happily dress in red and visit a nearby Lord Shiva’s temple. Most of devotees in Kathmandu go to Pashupatinath Temple. At the Shiva temple, women worship the Shiva lingam, offering flowers, sweets and coins. The most important part of the pooja is mostly done in the evening burning the oil lamp which should be burning throughout the night. One of the most important things here is to make a wish for the healthy life of their husbands and families.

c) Third day:

This third day of Teej is Ganesh Chaturthati. Women eat Karkalo ko Tarkari with chokho (pure) food made with pure ghee. Only after this puja, women take solid food.. The most important part of this puja is a banana and (Tulsi patta) leaf. 

d) Rishi Panchami:

 

After the completion of the previous day's pooja, women pay homage to various deities and bath with red mud found on the roots of the sacred Datiwan bush, along with its leaves. The actual date of inception of Teej is not known. However, it is celebrated by the women of Nepal with lots of joy and enthusiasm. Most married women rich or poor observe this festival with fun. Eating delicious food, popularly called dar, on the eve of Teej, and singing and dancing on the main day are the main features of this festival.