Teej Festival: A Celebration of Love, Tradition, and Women's Empowerment

 

Introduction

What is the short paragraph of Teej festival?  Teej, short for Hartalika Teej, is the fasting festival of women in Nepal. It usually takes place in Nepali Bhadra month (August to September in Solar Calendar) and lasts for three days. Teej Puja is particularly held at Pashupatinath to commemorate the reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.

Teej, a colorful and vibrant festival, holds a significant place in the hearts of Hindus, particularly in India and Nepal. This ancient festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal by women to honor the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Teej, often referred to as Hartalika Teej, is a festival that encapsulates various aspects of Hindu culture, including religion, tradition, women's empowerment, and social cohesion. 

Teej is not only a celebration of marital bliss but also a time for women to express their independence, strength , and solidarity . It symbolizes the power and resilience of women in society. The festival promotes unity , love , and the importance of strong marital relationship , it is not delves into the rich history , cultural significance, rituals and the contemporary relevance of Teej .

Historical Roots of Teej

Teej has its origins in ancient Hindu mythology and scriptures. It is believed to have been celebrated for thousands of years, with references found in texts like the Rigveda and the Mahabharata. The festival is closely associated with the legend of Goddess Parvati, who observed rigorous fasting and performed austerities to win Lord Shiva as her husband. 

After her devotion and determination, Lord Shiva finally accepted her as his consort, marking their divine union. Teej is, therefore, a celebration of the divine love story between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

What is the Teej program in Nepal? Teej is celebrated for three days. The first day is called,” Dar Khani deen” or it is a kind of grand feast. It is given to all the women by their other family members or especially by the men. This day women do get free from work as they attend a different program organized by the other women.

Cultural Significance of Teej

Why is Teej festival celebrated in Nepal? The significance of such a festival is for women to ask for special blessings by Lord Shiva, to have attain a good husband in life, and to pray for his longevity and prosperity.

What is Teej and its importance? Teej marks the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is dedicated to the divine couple. It falls during the monsoon season, symbolizing the greenery or "hairtail" that the rain brings with it. The festival is celebrated primarily by women and has a number of customs and rituals associated with it

1) Celebrating Marital Bliss: Teej is primarily a women's festival, and married women observe fasts and perform various rituals to seek blessings for the longevity and well-being of their husbands. It is seen as an occasion to celebrate marital harmony and happiness.

2) Fertility and Growth: Teej is also associated with fertility and the growth of new life. Women pray for the prosperity and well-being of their families, especially their children, during this festival.

3) Religious Devotion: The festival is a way for individuals to express their religious devotion to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The fasts, prayers, and offerings symbolize a deep spiritual connection with the divine.

4) Social Bonding: Teej brings together women from different backgrounds and communities. It fosters social cohesion as women gather to celebrate, sing, dance, and exchange stories.

Rituals and Celebrations :

What are the traditions of Teej? On Hariyali Teej, Hindu women fervently pray to Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati for the longevity of their husbands. Women partake in fasting throughout the day, adorn their hands with mehndi, don clothes in shades of green or red, engage in Shringar (traditional adornment), wear jewellery, and more

Teej is a multi-day festival that involves a variety of customs and traditions. Here are some of the key rituals and celebrations associated with Teej:

1) Fasting: Women observe a day-long fast, refraining from food and water. This fast is believed to purify the body and soul and strengthen the bond between husband and wife.

2) Dressing in Red and Green: Women traditionally wear red or green attire, as these colors are associated with Teej. Red symbolizes love and devotion, while green represents growth and prosperity.

3) Swing Decorations: Women and young girls often decorate swings with flowers and leaves and take turns swinging on them. This represents the joy and playfulness associated with Teej.

4) Applying Mehendi (Henna): The application of intricate mehendi designs on hands and feet is a common tradition during Teej. It adds to the festive spirit and symbolizes love and affection in a marriage.

5) Offering Prayers: Women visit temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to offer prayers and seek their blessings. They light oil lamps, offer flowers, and perform aarti (rituals involving light).

6) Fasting and Feasting: The fasts are broken with a grand feast, consisting of traditional sweets and savory dishes. Special dishes like ghewar, malpua, and puri are prepared for the occasion.

7) Singing and Dancing: Women come together to sing traditional Teej songs and perform traditional dances like the "Ghoomar." These cultural activities add a lively and festive atmosphere.

8) Exchange of Gifts: Families and friends exchange gifts as a gesture of love and affection. These gifts often include clothes, jewelry, and other tokens of appreciation.

Contemporary Relevance

Teej has evolved over the years and continues to hold significance in the modern context for several reasons:

1) Empowerment of Women: Teej serves as a platform for women to express their devotion, aspirations, and solidarity. It symbolizes the strength and resilience of women in the face of challenges.

2) Preservation of Culture: The festival plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting traditional art forms, music, dance, and clothing. It helps pass down cultural heritage to the younger generations.

3) Gender Equality: In recent times, there has been a shift in how Teej is celebrated. Some women choose to observe the fast alongside their husbands, emphasizing equality and shared responsibilities in a marriage.

4) Economic Opportunities: The preparation and celebration of Teej offer economic opportunities to various artisans, including mehendi artists, dressmakers, and sweet shop owners. It contributes to the local economy.

5) Tourism and Cultural Exchange: Teej has gained recognition worldwide, attracting tourists interested in experiencing its vibrant culture and traditions. This exchange promotes cultural diversity and understanding.

Conclusion

Teej is more than just a religious festival; it is a celebration of love, tradition, women's empowerment, and cultural richness. It reflects the enduring strength of Hindu mythology and the resilience of tradition in the face of modernization.

 As Teej continues to evolve and adapt to contemporary values, it remains a beautiful and significant expression of devotion, culture, and community for Hindus and people of diverse backgrounds alike. 

This vibrant festival serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural heritage while embracing change and progress in today's dynamic world.

What is the conclusion of Teej festival ? The final day of the Teej festival is known as Rishi Panchami, which is dedicated to Saptarishis (seven sages). Women worship seven sages after completing the puja of the previous fasting day.

'Teezko Rahar Ayo Barilai' has become synonymous with Teej.

तीजको रहर आयो बरिलै

तीजको रहर आयो बरिलै

गाऔं स्वर खोलेर दिदी र बहिनी

नाचौं न मिलेर दामली सैनी

As soon as Teej is mentioned, this famous song from the movie 'Kanyadan' comes to mind. This song included in the film of the year 2048 is equally timeless and touching even today.

Since then, hundreds of remakes (modifications) were made on this song. But even now, as soon as Teej is mentioned, the song is chosen by many. Chetan Karki wrote this song which shows the society and relationship of that time. Composed by Manohari Singh and sung by Sushma Shrestha (Poornima), this song is equally popular even after three decades.

Basundhara Bhusal, Shubhadra Adhikari, Gauri Malla and others acted in this song and the dance direction of this song was directed by Vasant Shrestha. The song features Gauri as a single woman, Shubhadra as a mother-in-law and Bashundhara as a village friend. The song, prepared on the psychology of these three characters, calls women to dance and rejoice.

This song is played from village to city as an evergreen song every Teej. This song, which was most remaked during Teej, has been viewed millions of times on YouTube.

Bashundhara Bhusal, who acted in that song, says that no one can beat that song from the film 'Kanyadan'. A woman should not miss this song once a year. They say old is gold. Old is old. You can never forget the song done on the hills of Pokhara,' she says, 'many have made remakes but no one has been able to beat this song of our Kanyadan. They cannot win with their hearts and they cannot win with their love. This song has become so famous.

Even now, Bashundhara has fond memories of filming this song, which was shot on a hill in Pokhara. "We were from Nachireh. But Gauri came wearing a white dress. Fire came out of Gauri's eyes when Shubhadra Didi, who played the role of mother-in-law, hit Jhyam on the cheek. After getting really hurt, director Prakash Thapa reminded Shubhadra Didi,'' she narrates.

According to Bhusal, the recent Teej songs seem to be repetitive rather than touching. At that time, mother-in-law and Nanda used to sing about grief at home. Hundreds of such songs have been made now. But I didn't see that much. In Teej's song, it abuses him, it abuses him. It was like playing again. I think that should not be done," said Bhusal.

The song is choreographed by Vasant Shrestha. He says that this is the biggest reward in his life. That song was amazing, at that time we didn't think it would be a hit now. After this song became a hit, the lyrics are very good. The artist has done a very good job. I have done my best. Accordingly, it has become popular.

He recalled that all the dancing artists were taken from Kathmandu and the song was finished in two days. What's happier than being appreciated for what you do? This is the biggest reward," says Shrestha.

Scholar of folk music Dr. Govinda Acharya says that words, music and presentation should be reflected in the song sung on a festival. He says that there is a difference between Teej songs and songs sung during Teej. Adhyeta Acharya, who studied more than 100 Teej songs during his studies, says that the music of this song has a lot of color and meaning of Teej. According to him, Teej songs are sung inspired by mythological stories.

Apart from this, the song 'Soche Jain Zindagi Rainch' has been viewed 20 million times on YouTube, while the song with lyrics 'Chitikkai Bhachu Re' has been viewed 22 million times. After the views of this song increased on social media, the evergreen song from the movie Kanyadaan now sounds poignant.

Despite the popularity of YouTube, the songs sung by Haridevi Koirala, Bimakumari Dura, Lakshmi Neupane, Sharmila Gurung, Prajapati Parajuli, Bishnu Majhi and others were hits. The views of that song are less on YouTube. But recently, many songs that have been released have received millions of views on YouTube.