Haritalika Teej festival being observed today, PM Shah extend greetings

Kathmandu, Sept 14: The major festival of Nepali Hindu women, Haritalika Teej, is being observed across the country today with religious and cultural rituals.

A large number of devotees have gathered since early morning at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu and other Shiva temples to offer prayers and pay obeisance on the occasion of Teej.

Haritalika Teej is regarded not only as a religious festival but also as an important occasion for social and cultural expression among women. On the eve of Teej, women traditionally gather at their parental homes or with relatives to eat dar, a special pre-fast meal, sing and dance to Teej songs, and exchange good wishes.

On the main day of the festival, women, both married and unmarried, observe fasts and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, praying for happiness, peace and prosperity in their families and success in their marital lives. They visit temples to offer puja and receive darshan.

In the Kathmandu Valley, devotees have thronged Pashupatinath, Gokarneshwor, Doleshwor, Kumbheshwor, Ashapuri and other Shiva temples. Shiva temples in various districts across the country have also received large numbers of devotees.

The Teej festival brings together religious faith, family relationships and the cultural diversity of Nepali society. It also provides women with an opportunity to express the hardships, pain and difficulties they have experienced during the year.

Through Teej songs, women traditionally share their grievances and experiences, including the difficulties they may face after leaving their birth homes to live with their husbands’ families.

Mythological origins of Haritalika Teej

According to various Puranic accounts, Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya, performed penance at Gaurighat near Pashupatinath during the Satya Yuga and received a boon to have Lord Mahadev as her husband.

Her father, Himalaya, wanted to marry her to Lord Vishnu against her wishes. Parvati shared her predicament with her friends, who then took her away and hid her in a place where nobody could find her.

According to the Puranas, Parvati subsequently observed a waterless fast at the place where her friends had hidden her and ultimately attained Mahadev as her husband.

Religious scholars say the tradition of observing the Haritalika Teej fast began from the day Parvati was taken away by her friends, which fell on Bhadra Shukla Tritiya.

On Teej, millions of women traditionally line up at Pashupatinath and other Shiva temples across the country. The festival is also an occasion for women to meet old friends, relatives and acquaintances and share the joys and sorrows of the past year.

This year, however, Haritalika Teej is being observed in a subdued manner in the aftermath of the devastating Bhotekoshi River floods in Rasuwa on August 26, which caused extensive loss of life and property.

The usual excitement and festive atmosphere associated with Teej are noticeably muted this year as people continue to mourn the victims and cope with the losses caused by the disaster.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has extended his best wishes to all on the occasion of Haritalika Teej. Taking to social sites today, Prime Minister Shah wrote, “Heartfelt best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Haritalika Teej.” #nepal