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Teej

Teej is the greatest festival for womens which is common in Nepal and India. There are three types of Teej: Haryali Teej, Kajari Teej and Haritalika Teej. Haritalika Teej is the one that Nepali women celebrate. It is believed that Teej welcome the monsoon season. It is celeberated by fasting, dance and songs Teej is primarily dedicated to Goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva.

Haritalika Teej

Haritalika is a combination of two words "Harit" and "aalika". Harit means abduction and Aalika means female friend. According to legend, Goddess Parvati, incarnated as Shailaputri, was the daughter of himalaya who promised her hand in marriage to Lord Vishnu, as the suggestion of Naradmuni. Knowing this Parvati tol her female friend and and she took Parbati to thick forest, so that her father would not marry her to Lord Vishnu against her will. On the third day of the bright half of Bhadrapud, Parbati made Shiva Linga out of her hair and prayed. This makes Lord Shiva happy and agreed to marry Parbati.

In Nepal, Teej is celebrated for well-being of spouse and children and purification of one's body and soul. For unmarried, they fast for getting good husband. Tihar is a three day long celebration which includes sumptuous feasts as well as rigid fasting. Nepali womens believe celebrating Teej will bring long life of her husband and long and firm mariatal relationship between them. Teej is celebrated with folk music and dances and it adds more flavor to the traditional values of Teej. Women wear red dress and dance and sing in the street, visit temple in holy and fastin mood.

Teej Day 1

Daar Khane Din or Ricepudding eating day is the first day of Teej. On this day women gather and sing and dance with devotional songs. On this day Womens are set free and men are responsible to do all the household work so that women are completely free. On this day women embellish themselves in sorha singaar i.e dressing up and using makeup to the full extent, indulge in good food and dance. Some brothers invite their sisters for the feast. Women express their freedom of expression through their song and dance.

Teej Day 2

Second day of Teej is a fasting day. On this day women take only water and fruits while some women did not even take drop of water. The fasting is done by both married and unmarried women. Women fast expecting that their devotion to the god will bless their husband with longevity, peace and prosperiety. On the other hand, unmarried women fast with a expectation of being blessed with a very good husband.

Women visit Shiva temple by singing and dancing on the way. On this very day Pashupatinath Temple gets highest number of womens devotees. At the Shiva temple women worship Shiva Linga, which symbolizes Lord Shiva. They worship by offering flowers, fruits, coins etc to the Shiva and Parbati. They hope and expect for wellness of husband and family.

Teej Day 3

The third day of Haritalika Teej is Rishi Panchami. After the fasting, women pay homage to seven saints, offer prayers to deities and take bath in the river with red mud found on the roots of the cacred datiwan bush, along with its branches. By doing so they believe they will be purified from all the sins. In the recent years, the rivers being poluted womens take bath in their own homes.