KATHMANDU: Kathmandu, Aug 26: Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal, House of Representatives (HoR) Deputy Speaker Indira Rana and National Assembly Vice Chairperson Bimala Ghimire have extended Teej greetings to all Nepali sisters on the occasion of the Teej festival.

Vice President Yadav has expressed confidence that the Teej festival would help maintain social harmony and safeguard our cultural identity, while strengthening our family bonds.

The festival of ‘Teej’, also known as the ‘Haritalika’, is being observed by all Nepalis, especially women, throughout the country today. The festival of women falls on the third day of the waxing moon of Nepali month of Bhadra as per the lunar calendar.

“This festival leads us to move ahead in the path to unity, tolerance and mutual harmony,” the Vice President stated by stating that this festival is a symbol of familial devotion.

Vice President Yadav also mentioned that this festival carries cultural diversity and the tradition of expressing sentiments of happiness and sorrows by singing traditional songs by women.

Similarly, Vice President Yadav has extended greetings to all Nepalis on the occasion of the Chaurchan (Chakchana) festival and Ganesh Chauthi, 2082 BS. He has pointed out the need to hand over such religious and cultural heritages to the new generation.

To be observed by Hindu devotees in some districts of Tarai-Madhes on Bhadra Shukla Chauthi, the lord Moon is worshiped as per the religious rites in the Chaurchan festival. This festival carries the cultural heritage of Madhes and the devotees offer Prasad of Puri, Khir, curd and fruits to the lord Moon before sharing among the family members.

Likewise, National Assembly Chairman Dahal has expressed confidence that the Teej festival would inspire all women for their rights, empowerment and equality while strengthening family and social relations.

“This is a festival to celebrate, share happiness and recall the memories,” Dahal said. Calling it a cultural festival, NA Chairman Dahal has urged all to observe the Teej festival for holding interactions, debates and advocacy for building an equitable society.

Similarly, HoR Deputy Speaker Rana has termed this festival a moment to raise voice for gender equality and women’s rights.

“This festival gives the message for ending all sorts of inequalities including gender-based discrimination, caste-based discrimination and others,” according to HoR Deputy Speaker Rana.

Also extending Teej greetings to all, NA Vice Chairperson Ghimire has stressed for safeguarding this festival’s cultural importance while upholding the uniqueness of the Teej festival. She has voiced for ending the trend of profligacy in this festival.

Ghimire has extended best wishes and called for building an equitable and progressive society by ending all sorts of discrimination.

The revelers of this festival, mostly women, observe a fast by wishing for longevity and a prosperous life for their spouse. The three-day festivity begins with ‘Dar’ on the second day of the fortnight in the month of Bhadra and is marked with fasting and cultural programmes the next day.

Women rejoice with various delicious dishes known as ‘Dar’ a day before ‘Teej’ and fast on the next day as per the tradition. Women on this day take ritual baths in the morning and offer worship in the evening.

They pay homage to Lord Shiva, light oil-fed lamps and spend the night awake. The festivity comes to an end on the fifth day of the fortnight after worshiping the legendary ‘Saptarishi’ (seven sages).

This unique festival of Nepali women is also a celebration of sisterhood as sisters gather at their natal home and indulge in jubilant dancing and singing.

Married women put on bangles, ‘Pote’ (a necklace made of glass beads), ‘Tilahari’ and ‘Sindur’ (crimson powder) considered the symbols of good luck and dress themselves up in red saris or other red outfits and adorn themselves with different kinds of ornaments.

Both married and unmarried women perform various pooja and observe fasting, praying for the fulfillment of their wish for a happy and prosperous conjugal life.

Shiva temples including the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu have seen an overwhelming number of women devotees today.