TEEJ RISHI PANCHAMI – Hindu Women Festival Tour 2012

This festival falls on the second day of September full moon fortnight (August) and lasts for four day. It's called the Rishipanchami as well. A very grand spectacular feu de joie takes place at Pashupatinath temple and in the different parts of the country. Especially this festival is only for the women's festival and the women only get the government holiday on this day. Holy Purans say that "On this day the Himalayas' daughter Goddess mother Parvati had received Lord Shiva as her consort after a long time of penance and devotion. Because of achieving desired husband, this day is believed to be celebrated as a Goddess mother Parvati's happiness and ecstasy-expressing day.

On the first day of the festival the people eat sweet vegetarian items especially prepared by milk and yogurt. Yogurt is an indispensable item to celebrate this festival, which is called Dar- Khane; and it should be eaten with yogurt. Especially this festival is for the sisters reading day by their brothers. So the brothers go to their sisters' houses to invite them at their houses with high regard feed them very well. If some one doesn't go to invite their sisters on this day then they become very unhappy and sing the mournful songs to express their anxieties. Those who are invited sing the melodious songs; and those married girls who are not allowed to go to their parent's house, even if their brothers come to take her there; they also sing the afflicted songs. On the Darkhane day they eat joyously very much because they should stay fasting throughout the next twenty-four hours. After the next twenty-four hours; they complete the Panchami Puja by inviting and donating to the Brahmin priest; then only they eat. So this is a little bit hard fasting. Aftter taking the Dar; on the next day they wake up early in the morning; take a holy bath or dip in the river; then enjoy singing and dancing throughout the day. Thousands of devotees throng to Pashupati on this day for to celebrate. They get back to their house in the evening and start the cultural program again and continue it until they get sleep. The next day is called the Chaturthy and then only they eat food. On the Panchami day they invite to the Bhraman Priest; complete the religious worship; donate him the donations; then only they eat. There is another interesting legend too regarding to this festival.
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