Written By: Jaya Silwal
Red, green and yellow, these are the only colors that can be
seen everywhere; mostly dominated by the color red. Teej is the name of a red
insect that comes out on the surface during the rainy season. The festival is
said to have got its name from that very insect. That must be the reason why
the whole town seems to be painted red that day.
Metaphorically, you can see all the women and girls of all
age groups on the streets enjoying the festival that it's not less than
painting the town red.
To those who don't have any idea, Haritalika Teej is one of
the most-awaited and celebrated festivals of Hindu women in Nepal. This
festival mostly falls on the 3rd day of
Bhadra Shukla Pakshya according to the Nepali Lunar Calendar.
It is a three-day-long celebration with the aim to increase
the happiness, peace, prosperity, family harmony and the long life span of
women's husbands or beloved. Traditionally, this festival is dedicated to Goddess Parbati for her union with Lord Shiva.
Let me explain the whole festival along with my experience
of it.
1. Daar
Khane din - The First Day
On this day or shall I say night since it is celebrated at
the night time, all the women of the family along with their friends and
relatives gather at a place and eat 'darr'.
Darr is like a feast prepared for women
for celebrating their dedication and hard work throughout the year and
preparing them for their hardcore fast for the next day.
This feast is eaten before midnight of that day because it is believed that once the clock starts midnight their fasts also starts so they cannot eat.
I don't really fast during Teej, it’s all about personal
choice but ever since I was a kid I have always been very interested in this
day. I used to try so much to make myself not fall asleep till the time the
feast started. The best part of those who do not participate is that they can
at least enjoy ‘darr’ delicacies
since there is no restriction as to who can or cannot taste those dishes. You
cannot just give up eating all those tasty food, can you? The secret is, you
need to be acquainted with a Nepalese family!
2. Day of
Fasting - The Second Day
The second day is considered to be the main day. It is the
time when women take fast. Some of them take fast without eating a bite and
without drinking a single drop of water but many drink some drinks and fruits
cause Health is Wealth. Ladies, you need to keep up your health before you pray
for your husband's.
The married women believe that with the fast god will shower
their husband and family with prosperity and long life whereas the unmarried
women fast with the hope of blessed with a good husband. Traditionally, this
what the belief on fasting is all about but in recent years women have been
fasting for more other reasons too; mainly for the happiness of themselves.
This day starts with ladies wearing their best red saree or
kurta (Solha Singhar). By being
their best they go to Lord Shiva's temple to worship them. They worship and
offer their prayers to Shiva Linga,
which symbolizes Lord Shiva. They offer flowers, sweets, fruits and coins to
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to grant them with blessing.Then, the whole day
is celebrated with visiting different Shiva's temples, singing and dancing on
the way. You can also look at it from this angle; it is a day of loosening up
from your everyday burdens and celebrating yourself.
I love dancing and dressing up so this is my day. It's not
everyday you get to wear your traditional dresses and dance on the folk songs.
You might be thinking that with women on their fast they won't have much energy
but in reality, if you want to get a clear picture just imagine a kid high on
sugar. That's the level of energy of this day. Everyone everywhere is smiling,
dancing and singing.
The important part of the puja is the oil lamp which is lit by the women who take fast, that lamp should be alight throughout the night. It is believed that by the light of an oil lamp all night will bring peace and prosperity to the husband and family. At the end of the day women exchange gifts with their mother-in-law.
3. Rishi
Panchami- The Third Day
Though I don't take fast, my mom does make me do this puja.
I have been doing it for the last six years and to reveal a secret I have
started to love its procedure. But will never let my mom know that this year is
going to be a no different she will have to pull me out of the bed and yell at
me go and bathe with the datiwan bush, then get ready for the puja. I do need
to absolve all my sins.
