Kathmandu:

Red has been the predominant colour these days with women getting ready for their festival — Teej. Celebrated for three days, this is the festival that womenfolk mark with delicious food and lots of merrymaking.

The first day is called Dar khaane din when women relatives get together for a feast. They prepare a variety of dishes and they enjoy the food singing songs and dancing. They dress in fine clothing, which is most of the time red in colour. However, these days such gatherings start from almost a week in advance as women take turns in hosting the feast at their places. Women also give gifts and money to their younger relatives. Gifts basically include glass bangles, potes (beads) and tika.

On the second day women fast for the longevity of their husbands and martial bliss. Unmarried girls fast with hopes of finding a loving husband. They worship Shiva as the festival of Teej came into existence after Parvati kept a fast and prayed to get lord Shiva as her husband. Women dressed in red saris decked with jewellery like tilahari, which is the symbol of marriage throng to Shiva’s temple especially Pashupatinath.

The oil lamp that the women light at the puja holds a huge significance as it is believed the lamp should be kept lit throughout the night to ward off bad omen. While some women observe this festival without even drinking a drop of water, others do eat fruits or a special homemade juice called kaanda.

On the third day, also known as Rishi Panchami, women worship various Hindu deities. This ritual is considered the act of purification. This puja is done to rid oneself of all sins.

With the changing times, the way of celebrating Teej might have changed but women have kept the spirit of the festival alive.