Namo Nepal

Celebrate Teej—Nepal’s Grand Festival of Women’s Devotion, Dance, and Sisterhood

Teej, known as Nepal’s iconic women’s festival, transforms the nation every August and September into a tapestry of red saris, joyful music, and deep devotion. It honors Goddess Parvati, the strength of womanhood, and the enduring sacred bond between wives and husbands. As thousands of women fast, gather, and sing, Teej bridges religious tradition, social empowerment, and pure celebration.

Vibrant crowds of women dressed in elegant red, singing and dancing at Pashupatinath Temple during Teej

Why Teej Is a Festival of Celebration and Connection

Devotion, Empowerment, and Joyful Togetherness

Teej festival Nepal offers unique rituals that both empower and unite women across communities. Its rituals carry deep meanings—prayers for happy marriages, strength during adversity, and celebration of individual beauty and community spirit.

  • Bonding with sisters, mothers, daughters, friends through gatherings, singing, and storytelling.
  • Praying for marital bliss, longevity of husbands, and wishing for a perfect match for unmarried women.
  • Personal empowerment as women advocate for social change, justice, and equality through Teej songs.
  • Fasting rituals that embody self-discipline, devotion, and spiritual purification.

3-Day Festival

Of rituals and fasting

1 million+

Women participate nationally

30,000+

Gather at Pashupatinath

Teej—Nepal’s Ancient Festival of Women’s Devotion

Myth, Meaning, and Rituals

Haritalika Teej is rooted in Hindu mythology—telling the story of Goddess Parvati’s devotion and union with Lord Shiva. Nepalese women and girls gather for three days to cleanse body and soul, wish for marital bliss, and celebrate the joys and challenges of womanhood. Teej is both a time for spiritual reflection and a festival of aesthetics: women wear red saris, gold jewelry, bangles, and intricate mehendi designs.

Day One (Dar Khane Din) initiates gatherings, where families reunite for feasting, singing, and dancing. Day Two is the main fasting day, where married women abstain from food and water—with prayers at temples, most famously Pashupatinath in Kathmandu. Day Three (Rishi Panchami) marks purification, worshipping sages, with ritual bathing and prayers for forgiveness.

Close-up of women applying intricate mehendi designs on hands during Teej preparation Group of friends enjoying Teej feast and singing folk songs with joy

Key Features and Rituals of Teej Festival

Women sharing special sweets and traditional foods during Dar Khane Din

Dar Khane Din—Gathering in Sisterhood

Families and friends unite in joyous feasts, singing, and traditional dances celebrating feminine strength and overcoming adversity.

Long temple queues lit with candles and women in red saris during fasting day

Fasting Day—Devotion and Prayer

Married and unmarried women don resplendent red saris; prayers and songs fill Nepal’s temples. Women fast for their loved ones, praying for health, happiness, and prosperity.

Women bathing and praying at the river’s edge during Rishi Panchami ceremony

Rishi Panchami—The Ritual of Purification

Sacred bathing rituals using Datiwan bush and river water. Women pray for forgiveness of sins and cleansing of body and spirit in the embrace of tradition.

Teej’s Most Cherished Traditions and Customs

Nepal’s Teej festival thrives on age-old practices:

  • Fasting and prayer for marital harmony and family well-being.
  • Adorning oneself in red—the hue of devotion, passion, and strength.
  • Mehendi ceremony, where hands are decorated with elaborate designs.
  • Singing folk Teej songs—expressing love, hope, pain, resilience, and solidarity.
  • Dancing on the streets, at home gatherings, and temple courtyards.

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Red sarees and bracelets

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Intricate mehendi art

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Traditional sweets and feasts

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Blessings exchanged between generations

The Spirit of Teej—A Day in the Life

Morning sees brightly dressed women visiting temples and homes, fasting, praying, and exchanging stories. The midday hours become a celebration of music, dance, and shared memories. Meals are skipped by fasting women, but the spirit is high; the joy of collective prayer and song makes Teej a festival of resilience.

Women’s folk dance circle in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square during Teej festival

Teej in Kathmandu Valley—Sacred, Social, and Unforgettable

From Temples to Homes, a Wave of Celebration

Nepal’s Teej festival reaches its energetic peak at Pashupatinath Temple, where thousands gather for prayer, blessings, and socializing. Elsewhere, city parks, squares, and rural homes fill with song and laughter, breaking social barriers as women of different backgrounds join together.

Teej’s beauty is also in storytelling—songs pass down tales of Goddess Parvati’s devotion, women’s struggles for justice, and hope for a better future. The festival has become a platform for social issues, women’s rights speeches, and charity drives for underprivileged communities.

Teej foods like sel roti, fruits, and sweets are gifts exchanged as tokens of love and friendship. The aesthetic of red—embroidered saris, bangles, even umbrellas—creates a visual celebration representing the goddess herself.

Modern Teej:

Includes workshops, fashion shows, and social media campaigns celebrating women’s achievements.

Global Welcome:

Non-Hindu and international participants are welcome, reflecting Nepal's openness and hospitality.

Vibrant Tourism:

Photographers and tourists flock to Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan for vibrant scenes and personal stories.

Be Part of Nepal’s Festival of Women—Teej Awaits You

Join in Teej 2025, don red, share your voice, and celebrate women’s empowerment, spiritual purpose, and joy. Whether praying at temple steps, dancing on dusty streets, or singing with friends—Teej offers a journey of devotion and solidarity.

Discover Teej—Nepal’s Icon of Women’s Celebration

Candid photo of red-clad women laughing in front of Pashupatinath Temple, holding Teej offerings

Quick Guide—How to Experience Teej Festival

Make the most of Teej with these essential tips and highlights:

  • Wear traditional red attire
  • Join temple prayers at Pashupatinath
  • Try Teej sweets and feasts (on Dar Khane Din)
  • Watch or join folk dances
  • Apply mehendi with friends
  • Celebrate with music and charity
  • Visit major Teej events in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan

Teej Festival FAQs

Get answers to the most common questions about Teej and how you can join the celebration.

What are the official Teej 2025 dates in Nepal?
Teej is based on the lunar calendar, falling in the Nepali month of Bhadra (usually August/September). Please check a current Nepali calendar for the exact 2025 dates.
What is the significance of red saris during Teej?
Red symbolizes marriage, passion, devotion, and purity in Hindu culture. Women wear red (and green) to signify their marital status and devotion to their husbands, embodying the power and beauty of Goddess Parvati.
Can non-Hindu and international guests join Teej rituals?
Yes, most public events, like the dancing and feasting, are welcoming. However, be respectful, and note that non-Hindus are restricted from entering the inner sanctum of temples like Pashupatinath.
What is Dar Khane Din and what foods are eaten?
Dar Khane Din is the day before the main fast. Women feast on nutritious, rich foods—the 'dar'—such as rice pudding (kheer), sweets, sel roti, and curries, to prepare their bodies for the day-long fast.
Why do women fast during Teej?
Married women observe a fast for the longevity, health, and prosperity of their husbands. Unmarried women fast in hopes of finding a good husband. It is an act of deep devotion and self-discipline.
Where is Teej celebrated most vibrantly in Nepal?
The most famous gathering is at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. Major cities like Pokhara and Chitwan also host large, vibrant celebrations and cultural events.
Is Teej a public holiday in Nepal?
Yes, the main day of Teej (the fasting day) is a public holiday in Nepal, allowing women across the country to participate in the rituals and celebrations.
What are some traditional Teej songs and dances?
Teej songs are traditionally sung by women, often expressing their love for their husbands, the joy of sisterhood, or advocating for social change and justice. The dances are typically rhythmic folk dances in large circles.
Are there any rules for fasting or prayers?
The main fast is a *Nirjala Vrata* (without water or food). However, many women, especially those with health issues, follow a more moderate fast (taking only fruits or water). The decision is personal and based on one's health and tradition.
What social or charitable events happen during Teej?
Teej has evolved into a social platform where women organize programs for charity drives, collect donations for underprivileged girls/women, and hold speeches and debates on women's rights and equality.
How does Teej empower and unite women?
It’s a rare occasion where women leave their household duties, bond in large numbers, express their emotions and grievances through songs, and take up public space for dance and devotion, fostering strong solidarity.
Are children and young girls involved in Teej?
Yes, absolutely! Young girls enjoy the feasting, wearing red clothes, applying mehendi, and dancing alongside their mothers and elders, learning the rich cultural traditions from an early age.

Celebrate Teej—Nepal’s Inspiring Festival of Women’s Strength and Spirit!

Embrace the colors, voices, and traditions of Nepal’s women. Be uplifted by Teej’s blend of devotion, dance, and social unity.

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