KATHMANDU: Nepali women across the nation, Hindus in particular, on Sunday are celebrating the Teej festival, which holds religious and social significance for them.

The devotees throng Shiva temples and worship Lord Shiva, praying for longevity, happiness and prosperity of their husbands. For unmarried women, it is believed that the worship would result into attainment of a happy married life.

Thousands of women, mostly clad in red saris, visited the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, to mark the occasion today.

On this day, women also observe a rigid fast all the day without taking water.

The devotees spend their day with songs, dances and merrymaking at temple premises and public places.

The annual festival falls on the third day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the month of Bhadra according to the lunar calendar.