04:14Thousands of married Hindu women gathered outside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on Friday to celebrate the Teej Festival dedicated to the consort of Shiva goddess Parvati Mata.
"We worship, so our husbands can live longer. This is one of the biggest religious festivals for us," one of the devotees, Parbati Bohara, said.
Footage features women dressed in red traditional sarees gathering outside the temple to bring offerings for the goddess. Some of them can be seen dancing, singing and praying in front of the altar as various rituals are being performed.
Parbati Bohara said that the festival's celebration started 'a long time ago' as goddess Parvati married god Shiva and became the 'initiator' of the festival.
"We all should follow our religion and culture. Nowadays, the new generations are changing to other religions. This is our Hindu religion and patriarchal belief so we should carry out this culture which helps the younger generation to learn more," she added.
"Today we fasted from early morning. In the morning we light the lamp in the name of our husband. And now we are here in Pashupatinath temple to worship, after returning home we worship again and celebrate the Teej festival together with sisters, daughters and everyone at home by singing and dancing," said another devotee, Chandrakala Dahal.
Hartalika Teej Festival is annually celebrated in Nepal on the third day of the dark half of the lunar month of Bhadra, according to media reports. This day women reportedly observe a strict fast and pray for a calm marriage their husbands' well-being of their husbands.
Goddess bless you! Thousands of Hindu women celebrate Teej Festival in Kathmandu to honour marriage
Thousands of married Hindu women gathered outside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on Friday to celebrate the Teej Festival dedicated to the consort of Shiva goddess Parvati Mata.
"We worship, so our husbands can live longer. This is one of the biggest religious festivals for us," one of the devotees, Parbati Bohara, said.
Footage features women dressed in red traditional sarees gathering outside the temple to bring offerings for the goddess. Some of them can be seen dancing, singing and praying in front of the altar as various rituals are being performed.
Parbati Bohara said that the festival's celebration started 'a long time ago' as goddess Parvati married god Shiva and became the 'initiator' of the festival.
"We all should follow our religion and culture. Nowadays, the new generations are changing to other religions. This is our Hindu religion and patriarchal belief so we should carry out this culture which helps the younger generation to learn more," she added.
"Today we fasted from early morning. In the morning we light the lamp in the name of our husband. And now we are here in Pashupatinath temple to worship, after returning home we worship again and celebrate the Teej festival together with sisters, daughters and everyone at home by singing and dancing," said another devotee, Chandrakala Dahal.
Hartalika Teej Festival is annually celebrated in Nepal on the third day of the dark half of the lunar month of Bhadra, according to media reports. This day women reportedly observe a strict fast and pray for a calm marriage their husbands' well-being of their husbands.
Thousands of married Hindu women gathered outside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on Friday to celebrate the Teej Festival dedicated to the consort of Shiva goddess Parvati Mata.
"We worship, so our husbands can live longer. This is one of the biggest religious festivals for us," one of the devotees, Parbati Bohara, said.
Footage features women dressed in red traditional sarees gathering outside the temple to bring offerings for the goddess. Some of them can be seen dancing, singing and praying in front of the altar as various rituals are being performed.
Parbati Bohara said that the festival's celebration started 'a long time ago' as goddess Parvati married god Shiva and became the 'initiator' of the festival.
"We all should follow our religion and culture. Nowadays, the new generations are changing to other religions. This is our Hindu religion and patriarchal belief so we should carry out this culture which helps the younger generation to learn more," she added.
"Today we fasted from early morning. In the morning we light the lamp in the name of our husband. And now we are here in Pashupatinath temple to worship, after returning home we worship again and celebrate the Teej festival together with sisters, daughters and everyone at home by singing and dancing," said another devotee, Chandrakala Dahal.
Hartalika Teej Festival is annually celebrated in Nepal on the third day of the dark half of the lunar month of Bhadra, according to media reports. This day women reportedly observe a strict fast and pray for a calm marriage their husbands' well-being of their husbands.