Basically a women's festival, Teej usually falls on the third day of the bright fortnight of the month of Shrawan of the Nepali calendar.
However, this year, as in last year, it fell on the month of Bhadra. The festival is especially significant for married women as they observe a one-day fast and offer prayers to lord Shiva for the longevity of their husbands.
Dressed in the traditional red sari and pote, hundreds of thousands of Hindu women flock to temples of Lord Shiva, especially the Pashupathi Nath Temple in Kathmandu to pray the Lord for a loving husband (in case of unmarried girls) and continued marital bliss (in case of married women).
Waiting in long queues for their turn to worship lord Shiva and his devoted wife Parvati, some women folks were also seen singing and dancing to Teej songs in large groups.
Many married women also bath in the sacred Bagmati river flowing by the temple on this day, praying for the prosperity and longevity of their husbands.
Except priests and sages, most men are not allowed inside the temple premises on this day.
Unmarried girls receive gifts such as dress, henna, bangles and sweets from their families and, in case they are engaged, future in-laws, and married women receive blessings from their birth parents.
The festival is also dedicated to Goddess Parvati and commemorates the day when she was united with Lord Shiva after a penance of a hundred years - making them a symbol of an ideal marriage. It is believed that invocation of Parvati's blessings on this day results in continued marital bliss. nepalnews.com Sep 02 08
