Teej festival where sisters wish for brothers’ long life

By Abinash Chaudhary Dhangadi, Aug 1 : The village of Dhangadhi in Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city had a special atmosphere on Sunday morning. Women were busy washing and cooking authentic Tharu dishes. The male members of the family were seen arranging different items for prayer and the children enjoying themselves.

These were the glimpses of people in the oldest settlement of Rana Tharu community celebrating their festival of Teej. The community in Kailali and Kanchanpur celebrated the festival on Sunday with various programmes. They celebrate the festival before other communities celebrate it. Teej is the biggest festival of the community.

According to a local Sundari Devi Rana, on this festival, both married and unmarried sisters fast for the long life of their brothers. It is a custom for married sisters to go to their maternal homes and fast for their brothers. "If it is not possible to go to maternal home, they can observe fast wherever they are", she said.

It is customary for married women to be called to their maternal homes before the festival. They feel bad if no one shows up to take them or call them. Seema Rana said that she came to her maternal home after she was called and took fasting for her brother’s long life.

She got married in Geta in Kailali and her maternal home is in Dhangadhi village. Seema informed that members of her maternal home came early in the morning to take her. "I came here to fast for my brother," she said. Seema, who had been fasting since early morning, prepared traditional food for her brothers.

Those who were fasting had been cooking Puri, Simahi, Gulgula, Pakoda, Katra and other sweet dishes throughout the day. 

Along with all those dishes, Muria (rope) and Jhurki (doll made of grass) are immersed in the river by the fasting people. According to the community, they also immerse sel roti, Muria and Jhurki in the middle of the river with silver money in hand.It is customary for the fasting people to return to the house from the river and eat the food and exchange happiness.