Teej also known as Haritalika Teej is the 3 days long largest celebration of Nepalese Hindu Women celebrated in the honor of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva with the remembrance of their union. Teej festival is celebrated by Nepali Hindu Women throughout the country on September 4, 2016 (Bhadra 19, 2073) this year. It is the religious and cultural event where the married Nepali women visit their parent's home and join with their mother, sisters and friends during the celebration whereas unmarried women also observe this festival fasting the whole day believing to get a nice husband in the future. The festival is celebrated as the Dar Khane Din, Fasting Day and Puja where different days have its significant way of celebration.
The first day of Teej festival is Dar Khane Din (having feats before fasting) with the great activities. The married and unmarried women get together and have the delicious food till to midnight.
The second day is the fasting day. Some women go through tough fasting without having food and water while nowadays liquids and fruits are preferred. During the day, both married and unmarried women undertake fasting whole day. The fasting of whole day without having liquids is believed for blessing of long life, peace and prosperity of their husband and family. Women get together to the nearby Shiva temple to take part in fasting, dancing and singing. Pashupatinath si the holy site in Kathmandu where Hindu women get together for worship to Shiva and perform teej song singing and dancing.
Third or final day of Teej festival is called as Rishi Panchami - the day dedicated to holy saints (Rishis). Women offer prayers to Rishis deities bathing with red mud and brushing with datiwan. This ritual activity is believed to be purified body and soul of women freeing them from all their sins at present.
