Kathmandu- According to the Vedic Sanatan tradition, Hindu women in Nepal celebrate the great festival of Haritalika Teej every year on the third day of the bright lunar fortnight in the month of Bhadra.

Teej is not just about fasting and worship. It is also a celebration of sisterhood and womanhood. On the eve of Teej, women gather with relatives and friends to enjoy a grand feast known as Dar. Dressed in bright red saris, adorned with jewelry and henna, they sing, dance, and share stories late into the night. The colors, songs, and dances create a vibrant atmosphere that reflects the strength and unity of women.

It is also customary for daughters and married women to visit their parental home on Teej. In earlier times, when travel was difficult, women especially used this occasion to return to their birth homes and spend joyful time with family. During those days, when social restrictions and illiteracy were widespread, daughters-in-law expressed their hardships through Teej songs, turning sorrow into shared joy through music and dance.

Religious belief holds that Goddess Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, observed a strict fast to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Following this tradition, married women fast on Teej for the longevity of their husbands, family harmony, and a successful married life, while unmarried women fast with the wish of finding a husband like Lord Shiva.

Today, Teej continues to evolve. While it remains deeply spiritual, it is also celebrated as a festival of joy, identity, and empowerment. Women across Nepal and in Nepali communities abroad, mark the occasion with pride, keeping alive both tradition and togetherness.