Teej is a significant religious celebration widely celebrated in Nepal and India; it is an important Hindu holiday that honors the divine bond between Lord Shiva, the God of transformation and destruction, and his wife, Goddess Parvati, who embodies devotion and love. Teej focuses on cherished aspects of the Hindu community's rich religious and cultural traditions. Wearing vibrant red and green clothing that represents fertility and prosperity, women actively participate in rituals that foster spiritual development and purification. This holy religious event allows people to interact with nature and appreciate its beauty through joyful singing, dancing, and feasting.
People can interact with nature and enjoy its beauty during this holy religious event, which is marked by joyful singing, dancing, and feasting. Participants can interact with nature and enjoy its beauty during this holy religious event, which is marked by joyful singing, dancing, and feasting. This sacred religious event is characterized by joyful singing, dancing, and feasting, allowing participants to engage with nature and revel in its beauty. Through these collective festivities, the spirit of Teej cultivates an atmosphere of solidarity and support, reminding everyone of the power of unity and shared joy. It marks a reminder of the significance of love and commitment in relationships, fostering a sense of community and belonging among participants. Teej is a treasured occasion in many people's lives because of the exquisite way these celebrations highlight the essence of devotion and appreciation for nature.
History of Teej Festival
The Teej festival celebrates the beginning of the monsoon season, womanhood, and devotion. The story of Goddess Parvati's devotion to and union with Lord Shiva is thought to be the origin of Teej. The Hindu women celebrate this festival, deeply linking it to Hindu mythology, emphasizing love, perseverance, and marital devotion. Beyond its religious importance, the festival fosters community unity and promotes joy and camaraderie among participants. Teej manifestations of colorful customs and culture strengthen families and the divine.
The Legend of Teej: Parvati's Devotion to Shiva
Parvati yearned to wed Shiva, Hindu mythology, who was engrossed in meditation and uninterested in love. Unfazed, she committed to fasting and prayer on Mondays during the holy month of Shrawan (July–August), which is devoted to Lord Shiva as part of her 107 lifetimes of intense penance (tapasya). Her 108th incarnation was a princess rebirth, this time as King Himalayas daughter. Parvati was devastated but steadfast in her wish to be with Shiva when her father decided to marry her to Lord Vishnu because he believed it was the best option for her. After noticing her sadness, Parvati's close friend Hartalika assisted her in getting away to a remote forest, where she continued to fast and meditate while giving up all worldly pleasures. After being moved by her unwavering devotion and dedication, Lord Shiva finally came to her and took her as his wife. Teej honors their union, representing the victory of faith, love, and patience.
Teej is also called Hartalika Teej after the friend who helped Parvati pursue devotion because of this story. The festival also acts as a reminder of how strong female friendships are and how far people will go in the quest for love. Through these festivities, women convey their aspirations for a happy and loving married life.
Why is Teej Celebrated in Nepal?
Hindu women in Nepal and India celebrate the Hindu festival of Teej to honor the divine bond between Lord Shiva, the deity of transformation and destruction, and his wife, Goddess Parvati, who embodies devotion and love. This festival is culturally and spiritually significant, as women engage in various customs and celebrations during this time that help them feel more connected to their families and increase a sense of community among all those involved. Women also use Teej to embrace the monsoon season's lively spirit and wish for marital happiness.
Reasons for Celebrating Teej
To Strengthen Marriages
Teej represents love, devotion, and the resilience of marital bonds. It tells the story of Goddess Parvati's fast devotion to Lord Shiva, during which she performed hard penance, fasting, and intense meditation to win his love and get married. Single women and girls pray for a compatible life partner, while married women draw inspiration from the festival's stories to fast and pray for their relationships. This celebration highlights the importance of love and commitment in marriage, encouraging couples to deepen their understanding of faithfulness and loyalty. Teej strengthens bonds within families and communities, prompting reflection on promises and vows. The festival allows couples to express their love and appreciation, bringing families together to create lasting memories and reinforce connections. Ultimately, Teej is a powerful reminder of enduring love, promoting unity and harmony within the Hindu community.
To Seek Blessings for the Family
Hindu women pray to Shiva and Parvati for joy, long life, and prosperity for their families. Their heartfelt fasting and dedication are believed to play a key role in ensuring their spouse's and children's health and wellbeing, ultimately fostering a sense of harmony within the household. This custom reflects a firm cultural conviction that spiritual devotion can safeguard and promote the wellbeing of families. Additionally, women develop their aspirations and fortify their bonds with one another when they gather to pray. By sharing this common goal for the success and happiness of their loved ones, they foster a community where they can encourage one another. Women find comfort in understanding that their sacred journey of marriage is filled with love and devotion for each other, which brings the utmost prosperity to the family. Ultimately, this holy practice nurtures both individual and collective strength, making the celebration of Teej a significant experience for all involved.
To Purify the Body and Soul
Teej is a time for self-control and cleansing, involving more than just daytime fasting. Women fast for Mirjana vrata, which consists in avoiding food and water to purify their bodies and minds. According to their beliefs, this devotion will atone for previous transgressions and promote spiritual rejuvenation. The ritual bath utilizing red mud and Datiwan leaves, a plant of great religious significance in Hinduism, is essential for spiritual purification on Rishi Panchami, the third day of Teej. In addition to serving as a purification symbol, this practice strengthens ties to tradition and heritage. Women can also enhance their spiritual resolve by using it as a chance for introspection and reflection.
To Celebrate the Monsoons
With the arrival of the monsoon rains, which bring fertility verdant surroundings and relief from the summer heat, Teej is a festival that symbolizes happiness and respect for the natural world. In Nepal, the rainy season is vital to agriculture, and women express their joy through dancing, singing, and exuberant celebrations. Families across the Hindu community gather to enjoy the season's bounty; this celebration emphasizes the beauty of nature and strengthens the community's sense of unity. The lively religious observance held during Teej also serves as a reminder of the connection between human life and the environment, encouraging appreciation for nature's gifts.
How is Teej celebrated 2082?
Mehendi: A Symbol of Beauty and Good Fortune in Teej
An important custom during the Teej festival is the application of Mehendi or henna, which stands for wealth, love, and marital bliss. On the first day of Teej, or the day before it begins, women, especially married women, apply elaborate Mehendi designs to their hands and feet. The cultural belief suggests that a deeper Mehendi stain signifies a stronger connection between a wife and her husband. The application of Mehendi transforms into a delightful and celebratory occasion as women come together to dance and sing Teej songs. This communal experience enhances the festive spirit and strengthens the friendships among women, creating lasting memories during the celebration. Additionally, Mehendi is applied as a means of artistic expression, highlighting cultural heritage and inventiveness.
First day of Teej
Dar Khane Din, or Feast Day, is the name given to the first day of Teej. Women, especially married women, congregate at a familiar place, usually their mother's houses, on this day of celebration, indulgence, and sisterhood. They are dressed in their best red attire and accessorized with sindoor bangles and traditional jewelry as part of Torah singular, which resembles bridal adornment. A sumptuous feast planned by men serves as the day's focal point, giving women—who toil hard all year—the opportunity to relax and have fun without any responsibilities. A range of rich and delicious dishes, such as fried snacks, sweets, and traditional Nepali cuisine, are served at the lavish feast. Because many women receive multiple invitations from their brothers, they frequently dance off leftover food before consuming more. Aside from the meal, the day is devoted to storytelling, dancing, and singing. Their traditional Teej songs reflect women's joys, difficulties, and goals. In the past, these songs have given women a forum to voice their hardships and social injustices. There is a great sense of happiness and unity as the celebrations go on until midnight. The next step in the Teej celebration is the 24-hour nirjala (waterless) fast. This shift from feasting to fasting draws attention to the deeper spiritual meaning of the festivities.
The second day of the Teej Festival
Teej, the second day—also referred to as Fasting Day—is the most spiritual day. Women pray for their husbands' longevity, their family's prosperity, and a happy married life on this day, which is marked by strict fasting and intense devotion. Unmarried Hindu women are encouraged to take part in this sacred celebration in the hopes of finding a suitable future husband. Women who observe the rigorous fasting custom known as Nirmala vrata abstain from food and liquids until dawn. Some might opt for a less stringent fast, consuming only fruits and liquids every day. Fasting is considered a show of love, sacrifice, and devotion, and it also fortifies their marriage and calls forth the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This act of fasting reinforces their spiritual connection during the festival as they follow these traditions; they also cultivate a sense of community and shared purpose among one another. Because of the ritual, women help each other on their spiritual paths and grow closer to one another. It is a potent reminder of the dedication and resiliency that characterize relationships.
Worship and Temple Visits
Clad in vivid red sarees and embellished with green and gold bangles, women get up early to bathe in purifying water before congregating in groups to visit Shiva temples, especially the most popular Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. Women chant devotional hymns and sing traditional Teej songs as they circle the Shiva Lingam, a statue of Lord Shiva, at the temple. They ask Shiva and Parvati for their divine blessings by offering them flowers, fruits, belpatra (holy bilva leaves), and money. Lighting an oil lamp that must stay lit all night is an essential ritual because it is thought to bring their families peace, prosperity, and good fortune. In addition to strengthening the women's sisterhood and spiritual ties, this group's devotion gives them a sense of cohesion and purpose during this holy celebration.
Celebration and Spiritual Significance
Despite the rigorous fasting, there is a lot of dancing, music, and happiness throughout the day. Despite the strict fast, there is a lot of dancing, music, and joy all day, and women sing folk songs, fostering a sense of sisterhood and togetherness. As the day winds down, they typically break their fast in the late evening or early morning with sweet sugar water or sacred prasad.
On the third day of Teej
As the last and most spiritually significant day of the celebration, the third day of the Teej festival in Nepal is called Rishi Panchami. Today, women seek to atone for their past transgressions and ask God to bless their families. The Seven Sages (Saptarishis), regarded as great saints in Hinduism, are the focus of the rites performed on this day, emphasizing devotion to them and spiritual purification. On the morning of Rishi Panchami, women get up early to bathe in red mud, which is revered as cleansing soil and leaves from the therapeutic Datiwan bush at ponds, rivers, or other holy water sources. The purpose of this profoundly Hindu-based purification ritual is to wash away sins and rid women of past impurities, especially those related to menstruation. In observance of the Saptarishis, women dress in clean traditional garments, mostly red saris, and participate in puja, a Hindu prayer ceremony following their ceremonial bath. As a sign of respect, they present cash, food, fruits, and sacred grains while sitting in a semicircle and listening to a priest recite devotional prayers. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who stand for courage, devotion, and family harmony, are also revered alongside the Sages.
Women fast all day long, depriving themselves of food until they have finished their prayers and puja. This fasting is regarded as an expression of self-control, selflessness, and commitment to spiritual growth. After completing the rites, women break their fast with a sacred meal consisting of mutton soup, bean soup (Kwati), and sweet carrot dishes. Vegetarian options are also offered to preserve purity. Both married and single Hindu women who have had their first menstruation celebrate Rishi Panchami. This festival honors women's role in maintaining family values and the significance of their spiritual purification. Bathing with red mud and Datiwan during the Teej festival leaves is believed to make up for past transgressions and guarantee their family's prosperity and wellbeing.
A woman's vital role is portrayed during this festival when women pursue personal purification and fortify their bonds with their families and communities by engaging in these traditions during Teej. Teej songs are also central to the celebration of Rishi Panchami while portraying women as submissive and obedient; these songs have historically reinforced traditional gender roles. But more recently, they have changed to reflect women's challenges, goals, and social issues, turning the festival into a forum for women's empowerment. Women can renew their faith, cleanse their souls, and offer prayers for the welfare of their families as Rishi Panchami brings the Teej festival to a close. They feel blessed and at peace and more rooted in their cultural customs and beliefs as a result of this conclusion.
Teej Festival in Nepal 2025: Date and Significance
In 2025, the Teej Festival in Nepal starts from August 26 to August 28, which corresponds to Bhadra 10 to 12 2082 B.S. In Nepal, this three-day festival is one of the most important Hindu holidays for women and honors Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. During this time, women participated in several customs and rituals that highlighted love, devotion, and family values. Women can come together, celebrate their culture, and deepen their spiritual ties during the festival.
Teej 2025 Schedule in Nepal:
The principal day of Haritalika Teej is August 26, 2025 (Bhadra 10, 2082 B. S. ) and is observed by fasting prayers and other celebrations as a public holiday, especially for women. Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on August 27, 2025 (Bhadra 11 2082 B. S.) A day is devoted to Lord Ganesha after the primary Teej ceremonies. The festivities with Rishi Panchami will end on August 28, 2025 (Bhadra 12 2082 B. S.) emphasizes spiritual cleansing and respecting the Seven Sages (Saptarishis). Teej is a festival that honors spiritual devotion, marriage, and family wealth. It brings women from all over Nepal together for prayers, fasting, and cultural celebrations every year in August or September, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar. In addition to strengthening ties between family members, this festival encourages a sense of camaraderie among women by bringing them together to celebrate their common customs and beliefs.
Where is Teej Celebrated?
Teej is a national holiday in Nepal, with important celebrations in villages, cities, and temples. Thousands of women assemble at Kathmandu Pashupatinath Temple for the most spectacular festival, where they fast, pray, and ask Lord Shiva for blessings. Guhyeshwari Temple and other shrines in Patan and Bhaktapur are among the other noteworthy sites in the Kathmandu Valley. Teej is celebrated with great fervor at Janaki Mandir in Janakpur and with great vigor at Bindhyabasini Temple and along the lakeshore in Pokhara. Women swarm to the Dantakali Temple in Dharan, a significant location for Goddess Shakti worship. Large crowds of cultural events and communal feasts are typical in Lumbini Butwal and Biratnagar. Teej is observed with singing, dancing, and temple rites in cities like Dhangadhi and Mahendranagar in western and far-western Nepal. Regardless of the size of the festivities, Teej is still a national holiday that brings women together for joyful celebrations, fasting, and prayer.
Types of Teej Celebrated Outside Nepal
Teej, which goes by different names and is associated with different customs, is observed in several places outside Nepal, especially in India. In India, three primary forms of Teej are observed.
Hariyali Teej: During the monsoon season, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh celebrate Hariyali Teej, also known as Sindhara Teej or Shravana Teej.
Kajari Teej: The festival of Kajari Teej, also called Badi Teej, is celebrated 15 days after Hariyali Teej, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. Women pray for their husband's long life and sing traditional Kajari folk songs to mark this occasion.
Hartalika Teej: Celebrated in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh Jharkhand, and Bihar, this version of Teej is very similar to Nepali Haritalika Teej, where women worship Shiva and Parvati (also known as Teej mata or Teej Devi) and observe nirjala vrat a waterless fast to find marital bliss.
The Hindu religion in Nepal and India places great importance on the rituals carried out during Teej, which enable women to strengthen their ties through standard communal practices and men to show their love and devotion because each ritual has profound meaning that allows them to do so while creating a supportive environment.
Red and green are the colors of Nepal's most popular Teej festival, which honors love and the value of family responsibilities. As Hindu women celebrate the sacred bonds that bind them as a family, this festive occasion invites introspection and thankfulness. The festival represents ideals that transcend cultural and conventional boundaries.
Celebrate Teej Festival 2025 with Nepal Hiking Team! Wear red and green sarees, capture beautiful moments, sing along to traditional Nepali Teej songs, and dance with us in joyful melodies. Experience the essence of Nepal’s festivals and embark on the best Nepal treks of your choice in the coming days!
