30 August, KATHMANDU : Teej is the generic name for a number of Hindu festivals that are celebrated by women. Haryali Teej and Hartalika Teej welcome the monsoon season and are celebrated primarily by girls and women, with songs, dancing and prayer rituals.
Donning traditional jewelleries and dresses – and eating healthy fruits and sweets the night before fasting, Nepali Hindu women are gearing up to celebrate Teej.
Many Nepali girls and women are celebrating Teej festival with great gusto.
Donning traditional jewelleries and dresses – and eating healthy fruits and sweets the night before fasting, Nepali Hindu women are gearing up to celebrate Teej, a festival dedicated to women.
This year the big day falls on Tuesday, the third day of the waxing moon according to the lunar calendar. On this day, women visit their parent’s houses, meet their relatives and friends and celebrate the festival by fasting, singing and dancing.
Both married and unmarried women fast on this day and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
The married ones fast, praying for abundance and long life of their husband, whereas the unmarried ones fast praying for a good husband – loyal like Lord Shiva.
On this day, women wear red attire and ornaments as a part of the tradition. Traditionally, this festival is a way for women to voice out their joy and sorrow through folk songs and their wordings.
The festival begins with ‘Dar khane din’ observed the day before Teej, when they eat well to make sure they can easily observe the fast the next day.
The main day of Teej is all about fasting, dancing and singing on the way to and from Shiva temples. The fourth day is the day of Lord Ganesh when Hindus worship the elephant-headed god worshipped for good luck and wellbeing.
The festival ends with Rishi Panchami, on the fifth day, when women take a ritual bath using a botanical herb called Datyun. On this day, a puja is held where they remember and worship the great seven sages of the Hindu.
As Kathmandu turns red with the beginning of the Teej, various restaurants and party palaces have been filled with men and women celebrating the festival while dancing to the tunes of Teej songs.
Like every year, this year too many music companies have released many Teej songs.
Here is the list of Top 5 Teej songs to dance to in this Teej:
1. Teej ko rahar aayo bari lai
2. Chari Jailaima-2
3. Jhama Jhama Jhamkana
4. Pauma Pauju
5. Teejko Mela
