The Indian community celebrated teej by participating in a cultural evening today at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. In a Teej celebratory programme at Sheetal Niwas hosted by First Lady of Nepal Sabita Paudel on Tuesday, President of Nepal Ram Chandra Paudel, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, women ministers, women parliamentarians and senior women officials from various agencies were present.
In Nepal, the Teej celebration starts months before the actual Teej fasting day. Traditionally it is customary to eat the Darr one day before fasting. Darr is a midnight food consumption for the endurance to the fasting of Teej day.
With the commercialisation of the Teej festival, shopping malls and restaurants are giving special offers to attract customers. As a celebration of Teej ka darr, from 2-3 weeks before the Teej fast, it is customary for Nepali women to gather in groups to dance, chat and have fun.
The Teej Festival, also known as the ‘Haritalika’ is being observed by Nepali Hindu women and will be celebrated on September 6.
Sweta Singh (Kathmandu)