Teej festival celebrated (Photo Feature)

Devotees are flocking to temples throughout the country to celebrate the Haritalika Teej festival.Women are seen singing and dancing to commemorate the day as they visit Lord Shiva temples across the country.

Teej occurs on the third day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in Bhadra. Women observe the event by fasting, singing, dancing, and praying to Lord Shiva. The festival also marks the union of Shiva and Parbati.

The festival is a three-day celebration that includes gatherings, singing, dancing, eating dar, and fasting. Dar khane din is the first day of Teej. Women eat delicious and heavy  foods before midnight on this day. The fasting day or main day of Teej is the second day. Women go through the day without eating or drinking anything. Rishi Panchami is the third day of the celebration. Women pay reverence to seven saints or sages, give prayers to numerous deities, and bathe in red mud found on the roots and leaves of the sacred datiwan twig. Teej's final rite is this act of purification.