Bhutanese Community of Lethbridge celebrated an annual Hindu Festival of “Teez”. The event was organized by Canadian Bhutanese Society.
Teej is a fasting festival for Hindu women. It is celebration of Nepali Culture and is considered as one of the most standard form of festivals. It takes place on the third day of full moon of the Saawan month of Hundu Calender that normally falls from late July to early September. Dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva, the festival is celebrated for marital bliss, well-being of spouse and children and purification of own body and soul. The festival is a three-day-long celebration that combines sumptuous feasts as well as rigid fasting.
Teej is celebrated just before the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi. Women do 24-hour nirjala fasting (without water or fruit) for the wellness of their spouse and their married life and unmarried would be praying to get a nice husband.
The program was wrapped up with chanting of Bhajans, Sangini dance and snacks at Southern Alberta Ethnic Association Hall.