Teej Festival

Teej is one of Nepal’s most joyful festivals, and it truly belongs to the women. For three days, women across the country come together to sing, dance and celebrate with real warmth and energy. They dress in bright red saris, add shiny glass bead necklaces called potes, paint a red tika on their forehead, and slip on colourful bangles. The atmosphere is festive and welcoming, filled with traditional folk songs and dancing that carry on for hours.

For married women, Teej has a special meaning. They are warmly invited back to their childhood home for a big family feast called Dar, shared before the fasting begins. The following day, they keep a strict fast and pray to Lord Shiva, asking for a long, healthy and happy life for their husbands and families.

One of the loveliest places to witness Teej is Pashupatinath Temple. Thousands of women dressed in red and green gather here, filling the temple grounds with colour and devotion. It’s a wonderful sight for visitors to photograph, and foreign travellers, especially women, are sometimes kindly invited to join in the singing and dancing.

Unmarried women take part too, praying with the same hope for a good husband in the future. From early morning, long queues of women form at Pashupatinath, waiting patiently for their turn to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

Teej offers a beautiful glimpse into Nepali culture and faith, and into the close bonds between women, family and tradition. It’s a truly heartfelt celebration, well worth experiencing if you’re visiting Nepal at the right time of year.