Special Festival for Women- Teej, a Tradition of Fasting and Entertaining

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Special Festival for Women- Teej, a The tradition of Fasting and Entertaining

Like last year, the Teej festival has arrived in Nepal with mixed colours and excitement. Though Teej, a special festival of women, has become a celebration of men as well. If you see the dance or listen to the Teej songs, you cannot find a solo voice of a woman, rather a man will accompany them. However, fasting is special for women because men do not accompany this.

I remember, it must be about 10/12 years ago, I used to go to invite married sisters. My dad used to plan where to send me and my brothers to invite sisters. In Teej, the earlier night of the main day, the sisters gather at their parents’ home and cook delicious food, known as DAR in Nepali term. Then, on a special day, they remain fasting and dance to the songs for the whole day, meeting their friends who have gone to their husband’s house. Now, I am in Kathmandu, missing all these events.

Due to the change in societies and development of the technology, the system of celebrating Teej has been changed. Instead of singing their own songs filled up with the ups and downs of life, relation with mother-in-law and hard physical labor in their houses have been taken by the amusing songs. Not only that, vulgarity has taken place. Teej songs are not typical nowadays. DAR is eaten several times around this festival. 

   



What is the special in Teej?



Teej is important for both married and unmarried Hindu women. Unmarried girls stay fasting and worship Mahadev so that they could get the husband suitable for her, dedicated and lovely. Married women worship for the long life of their husbands. The fourth day, also known as Rishi Panchami is the final day of this festival. On this day, women go to the nearest stream or River, take a bath, and participate in Puja (worship). It is believed that the relationship between husband and wife will be stronger. For unmarried, they will get a lovely and dedicated husband. Women gather in one place and talk with their friends about their household and this and that. They feel nice to meet each other after a long time.

The first day- Dar Khane din
The second day- fasting, singing, and dancing
The third day- Ganesh Chaturdashi
The fourth day- Rishi Panchami

The Myth

Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas stayed fasting and worship with a wish of getting Lord Mahadev as her husband. Her strong and dedicated worship became a success. After that, Hindu women started to follow the same tradition.


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