Indian Nepalese women living in Hyd celebrate Teej

Teej also marks the start of the monsoon season after the hot summer months. Haryali means "green," referring to the lush plant growth brought by the region's welcome monsoon rains.

By Newsmeter Network  Published on  30 Aug 2022 12:08 PM GMT
Indian Nepalese women living in Hyd celebrate Teej

Hyderabad: Every year, almost all Indian Nepalese and other migrant workers gather for the Teej festival.

Teej is celebrated by Nepalese Hindu women who fast, worship Lord Shiva, and participate in various musical activities. Only females in Nepal get a public holiday for this festival. In Hyderabad, there are approximately 15,000 Nepalese.

Teej is a generic term for a number of festivals celebrated in Nepal and northern and western India. Haryali Teej is observed in Haryana on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shraavana.

Teej also marks the start of the monsoon season after the hot summer months. Haryali means "green," referring to the lush plant growth brought by the region's welcome monsoon rains.

"Teej is celebrated by women in Nepalese traditions for the prosperity of their homes. We fast for nearly 24 hours and pray to Lord Shiva," says Shilpi Thapa, an Indian Nepalese living in Hyderabad.

Shilpi explains that Teej is a festival celebrated primarily by girls and women where they dance, sing, gather with friends, and tell stories. Teej festivals are primarily dedicated to goddess Parvati and her marriage to Lord Shiva.

Pavitra Turuwa, who is a migrant worker living in Hyderabad, eagerly looks forward to Teej. "A few of us meet up, fast, and just have fun. Younger girls play on swings while in-laws, husbands, and other family members give gifts, typically new clothes and accessories, to girls and women during the Haryali Teej," she says.

Girls and women perform prayer rituals and sing and dance in the hope that goddess Parvati will bless them with a happy married life.

Next Story