Teej Festival

During September, the Pashupatinath Temple complex is bathed in crimson as women in their fine red wedding saris crowd the grounds for the Teej Festival. This unique festival for women is marked by folk songs, dance, feasting, fasting and worship, recalling Parbati's devotion to her husband Shiva.

Married women visit their father's homes and all daughters and mothers receive gifts from their male kin plus an elaborate feast prepared for them. Celebrations tend to be loud and last into the night when strict fasting begins. It is believed that unmarried mothers who fast on this day will have good luck in finding suitable husbands. Married women who fast are said to find their husbands faithful and see the bond of love grow. Married women frequently dance for the family's future prosperity. The blessings are sought of Shiva and Parbati to ensure that family life will be happy for everyone.