Nepal is a country rich in various cultures and festivals. Among those festivals, Teej is the one, which falls in Bhadra, a Nepali month. The Nepalese Government declares public holiday on Teej. This festival is celebrated by all the Hindu women of Nepal. It is related with the wellness and long life of their husbands, as well as it is concerned with the purification of their bodies and souls.
Teej is celebrated for 3 days. The first day is called “Darr Khaney Din”. All the married and unmarried women will gather at one place to feast, to sing, and to dance, so that they can fast without any problems on the next day.
The second day is the fasting day of Teej. On this day women wear clothes, which are clean, and are red, green and yellow in colors, as well as these women will visit the temples of Lord Shiva. Then they worship to Lord Shiva and his beloved (Parvati), as well as they offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to them and ask to bless their husbands and families.
The important part of Teej is the oil lamp, which should burn all night, and it is considered a bad sign if it goes out.
The third or the final day is called Rishi Panchami. On this day, women worship to various deities, and then bathe with red mud which is found on the roots of the sacred Datiwan (a kind of plant). They use its leaves too. It is believed that this ritual will make women pure and sinless.
