Teej The festival for Female

"Teej" is a festival for women or for female. Teej generally falls in the month of Bhadra according to the Nepali calender or August according to the standard calender. But this year it falls in the month of Ashwin according to the Nepali calender or in September according to  standard calender. The women & teem pray for the well being of their children, spouses, marital bliss & the purification of their soul and body through religious fasting.

Usually, the formality of Teej is necessary for all Hindu married women & girls who have reached puberty. Unmarried girls observe fast of this day for a good and handsome husband. Teej celebrations last for three days. According to the legend, Goddess Pargati prayed passionately for the great Lord Shiva to become her spouse. Touched by her extreme devotion,  Lord Shiva took Goodess Parbati for her wife. Goddess Parbatu then sent messengers to the mortal human world & preached women to fast & pray for the prosperity & long life of their family. Hence the festival of Teej was born. The festival is celebrated for three days. The first day is called 'Dar khane din' .A special food called 'dar' is eaten on this day. Women & teen girls gather & assemble together on this day on their beautiful red attires. Women dance & sing & grand dinner is held. The dancing & singing continues till midnight. After midnight the 24 hour fast starts.

The second day is the day when women and teen girls fast. Some women don't take a single crumb of food or water whereas some take only water & fruits. Women/teen visit temple of Lord Shiv & offer fruits, sweets & food to the gods. The main puja takes place on this day & women/teen light oil lamps. Lighting of an oil lamp is very important part of puja ceremony. It is said that the oil lamp should be kept lit all night to avoid bad sign. Some women/teen sleep by the lamp & take care of it so that it does not fade away.

And at last the third day is called 'Rishi Panchami'. Women clean themselves & get rid of all the sing by taking a bath in the red mud that is found on the rood of the sacred 'Datuwan' busg. After that they take part in the Teej puja ceremony.

The definition above shows the truth of the Teej festival but now a days some bad tradition is also in this festival likewise: wearing expensive ornaments, clothes etc.