Teej: The Collective Identity of Nepali Women

In Nepali society, the Teej festival is celebrated with special significance. Teej is not just a festival; it is the rhythm of culture beating in the hearts of Nepali women. Many festivals come and go throughout the year, but when Teej arrives, homes and courtyards fill with joy, music, and colors, and the collective spirit of women awakens. Dancing to the melodious rhythm of tradition, etching their dreams into the heartfelt words of songs, women share both their pain and their joy with the world on this day.

On Teej, both married and unmarried women observe a special fast, visit temples, sing songs, dance, and gather collectively. Teej is not only a religious ritual but also a reflection of the devotion, emotions, and dignity of Nepali women.

“Bhaktyā samarpitā nārī dharmeṇa ca samanvitā ।
Haritalikā tijen tasyāḥ siddhir bhaviṣyati ॥”

“The woman devoted with faith and established in righteousness, by observing Haritalika Teej, attains fulfillment.”

Teej is regarded as a heritage of culture and tradition. Listening to Teej songs feels like more than just a melody—it is an experience passed down from one generation to the next. These songs particularly reveal the pains, struggles, and hopes of women’s lives. In some songs, the longing for the maternal home is expressed; in others, the dreams of love and affection are reflected. Traditional Teej songs convey emotional ties with family, memories of the parental home, and the joys and sorrows of married life. In modern times, however, these songs have also carried messages of women’s rights, freedom, and social awareness. In this way, Teej has become a cultural celebration, a collective voice, and a medium of unity that binds Nepali women together.

Religiously, Haritalika Teej is connected with the story of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. According to belief, Goddess Parvati performed austere penance to obtain Shiva as her husband, and in remembrance of this, women observe the Teej fast. Married women celebrate with prayers for the longevity and happiness of their husbands, while unmarried girls fast with the hope of finding a suitable life partner. Fasting, worship, and devotion form the central religious aspects of this festival, which also teaches women self-discipline and spiritual upliftment.

With the passage of time, Teej has also taken on new forms. In the digital age, Teej shines even more brightly on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, spreading its presence worldwide. For the younger generation of women, Teej has become not just entertainment but also a powerful means of raising awareness. Amid songs, ghazals, and glamour, the fragrance of faith has not faded; rather, it has blended even more deeply with the sweetness of tradition and the voice of women’s freedom. This has played an important role in introducing Nepali culture and women’s identity at an international level.

The true beauty of Teej lies here—it gives women the opportunity to tell their own stories. Within this festival lies faith, culture, a touch of modernity, and above all, a collective identity. Teej is not merely a women’s festival; it is the pride of the entire Nepali society. As a confluence of religious devotion, cultural heritage, and modern consciousness, Teej continues to inspire the present generation as well. Therefore, Teej must be preserved and promoted not just as a traditional festival but as a celebration of Nepali women’s collective identity and self-respect. To safeguard Teej is to safeguard our faith, our culture, and our future.
-Jyotishacharya / Vastu Expert
Pandit Narayan Prasad Dulal