Hartalika Teej, the fasting festival of women in Nepal. It usually takes place in Nepali Bhadra month (August to September) welcoming the monsoon season and lasts for three days. Teej Puja is particularly held at Pashupatinath( 5 kms from Hotel Roadhouse )to commemorate the reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. During Teej Festival, Nepalese women will dress in their beautiful red saris, fast to honour Lord Shiva.
The fast commences during the evening of Hartalika Teej and is broken the next day after a full day's observance which involves women not even drinking water. The folk music and dances add more flavor to traditional values of Teej. From the premier and suite rooms of Hotel Roadhouse guest can observe many Nepali women this day wearing in red sarees, dance and sing in the street, going to temple in holy and fasting mood.
Amongst some communities it is viewed as a "festival of sisterhood," Teej has traditional and modern values as a festival of celebrating good times with siblings. Although it looks like it is celebration of sisterhood because when married women get rare chance to meet with sisters and friends from their birthplace, there is a strong role of brothers to celebrate the festival as they are to call their sisters in this auspicious occasion and cook special food for their sisters. So this day every women staff at Hotel Roadhouse who celebrate Teej gets a holiday.
The first day of Teej is called Dar Khane Din. On this day the women assemble at one place in their finest attire and start dancing and singing devotional songs. Amidst all this, the grand feast takes place. What is further special about this day is that the feast is hosted by the men in the house. Oftentimes, because women are invited by multiple brothers for the feast, they try to dance off some food before they are ready to eat more. The food served is supposed to be rich and abundant, after which the 24-hour fast begins.
The second day is the day of fasting. Some women don't eat or drink food and water while others drink liquids and eat fruit. The fasting is observed by married and unmarried women. Married women fast in belief that their devotion to the gods will be blessed with longevity, peace and prosperity of their husband and family. Unmarried women observe the fast with a hope of being blessed with a good husband.
The third day of the festival is Rishi Panchami. After the completion of the previous day's puja, women pay homage to the deities.
So next time you have plans to visit Kathmandu do book directly at Hotel Roadhouse to experience the best of both worlds - contemporary modern stay comforts and traditions of Nepal. Direct booking rates and offers cannot be found in any other sites 100% guaranteed.
