KATHMANDU: The Teej festival, which is also known as Haritalika, is being celebrated across the country on Thursday by worshiping Lord Mahadev and Goddess Parvati.
There is a religious belief that if one fasts on Bhadra Shukla Tritiya and worships Shiva Parvati, family happiness, peace and welfare will be attained.
Teej Festival, which falls on the day of Bhadra Shukla Tritiya, is believed to have started in the Satyayuga in the belief that Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas, got husband Lord Mahadev as a gift by doing penance in Gaurighat. Parvati told her friends about her problem when her father Himalayas tried to marry her off to Vishnu against her wishes.
When Parvati found out that she was in trouble, her friends took her away and hid her in a place where no one could see her. Parvati fasted in the place where her friends hid and finally got Mahadev as her husband.
The theologian is of the opinion that the purpose of this fast is to fulfill one’s desires and for the welfare of the whole family. Both spiritualists and theists have observed this fast.
The Teej festival, which formally begins on Wednesday, is celebrated till Rishi Panchami. On the third day, Haritalika Brat, on the fourth day, worship of Lord Ganesha and on the day of Panchami, after bathing and worshiping Arundhati and Saptarishi, the fast ends.
The Pashupatinath temple will not be opened on the occasion of Teej festival this year as well. The Pashupatinath temple has been closed since the second week of April.
Even though the Pashupatinath temple is closed, devotees can come to the Pashupatinath area, said Dr Milan Kumar Thapa, member secretary of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT). The fund has called for mandatory wearing of masks and maintaining physical distance while coming to Pashupati area.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, President Bidya Bhandarri and Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun have extended greetings on the occasion of Teej Festival.
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