Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Teej

Teej is a festival of women. It is celebrated on the third day after the full moon day of Bhadra. On this day, they fast throughout the day even without drinking water and perform puja in the evening. The previous day, i.e. on the second day after the full moon day, they take a heavy meal which consists of various items. They eat the special meal twice, in the evening and at night because the next day they do not eat anything. This special meal is called ‘Dar’. All members of the family, including small children, enjoy the ‘Dar’. The married women are called back from their in-laws home by their parents and brother to celebrate Teej together.
In a religious book of the Hindus called Bratark, it is written that parbati, the daughter of Himalaya, had observed fasting on this day and performed puja of the ‘Shivalinga’ in the evening. She wanted to marry Lord Shiva. As a result of the celebration of Teej, her wish was fulfilled. Therefore, the unmarried girls perform this festival to get a suitable husband. And the married women celebarat it for the long life of their husbands. In this way, the festival of Teej signifies a happy, long-lasting married life.
The fifth day after the full moon day of Bhadra is celebrated as ‘Rishi Panchami’. Again on this day, women fast throughout the day and perform puja in the evening. They worship ‘Arundhati’ and ‘Sapta Rishi’. The girls after their menstruation period, are allowed top perform it. They take bath early in the morning in the nearest river, pond or well. It is written in the religious book Bartrak the they have to clean every part of their body 360 times. They brush their teeth with 360 pieces of wood called ‘Datiwan’. Wearing red colour saries, they sing and dance throughout the day. They also visit Shiva temples. There is a huge crowd in the Pashupatinath temple at Kathmandu on this day. As this is a women’s festival, the third and the fifth day are declared holidays for the working women by his Majesty’s Government of Nepal.

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