Teej Celebration And Women Empowerment

Recently I had been following some journals based on list on Women's studies like The International Feminist Journal of Politics with a focus on gender issues. At the same time, I get fascinated by the teej celebration   which usually takes place in Nepali Bhadra month (August to September in Solar Calendar) and lasts for three days. Teej Puja is particularly held at Pashupatinath to commemorate the reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. During Teej Festival, Nepalese women will dress in their beautiful red saris, fast to honor Lord Shiva and pray for a happy marriage.Hartalika Teej is also known as "Nepal Women's Festival" and "Women's Wishing Festival". The events would last for three days, including enjoying a grand feast, observing a rigid fasting, praying to Lord Shiva, bathing in the holy river, presenting traditional performances, etc. Nepali Women's Day is generally referred to the second day of Teej Festival.

There are some questions in my mind is it global politics which gets affected by cultural diversity or social norms and values creates a path to political agenda like women empowerment.Talking about the origin of this  as per the Hindu legend, Teej is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati for her union with Lord Shiva. Teej is celebrated by Nepali women, as well as girls without eating anything or even drinking water. Married women fast for the long life of her husband and for a happy relationship in the family. Whereas, girls  fast to get a decent and kind husband, just like “Lord Shiva.”

We have been preparing dar at home  ,it is obvious following a long feast also known as Dar, the women, sit for a 24 hour long fasting , where most do not eat or even drink water. On the final day of this three day festival Women satisfy seven saints offering them food, money and various offerings, and also bathing with Red mud and brushing their teeth with Datiwan (branches of a bush tree) hoping this purifies their body and soul.

Nevertheless, cultural critics are still critical on Teej itself being the gender biased practice designed to inculcate women the power of masculinity and help normalize the female subservience. The objective of the event is to use the occasion of TEEJ – to promote Tales of Equality Empowerment and Joy (TEEJ) and demystify gender based traditional harmful cultural and religious practices prevalent in society and reflected in personal or collective behaviors. The event aimed to promote the gender transformative and Men Engage approaches for the effective outcome of women empowerment,much more to tell about liberation of women and their empowerment.With the belief that Teej customs has much more to tell about awareness, advocacy and empowerment related to women,I belief this teej can be blessing to all I know as women standing for own self.