Why Teej is More Popular Than Dashain & Tihar

It’s often believed that ‘Janai Purnima‘ is a festival of men just like Teej for women. Well, although Janai Purnima marks a national holiday, it’s not celebrated with the same excitement, fervor and enthusiasm as in Teej.  Men don’t revel in Janai Purnima. Most of them don’t even bother to get their wrists tied with sacred threads, the main feature of the festival. Despite being one of the greatest festivals in Hindu tradition, Janai Purnima is slowly losing it’s relevance as a national holiday at the height of fading hardcore Hindu norms and values.

One of the main flaws of Janai Purnima is it is just not possible to survive longer at the height of modernization with its antiquated rituals. One can hardly be appealed to tie dully colored threads in their wrist.

But, Teej has a very different story. Teej is more about music, food and fashion than just worshiping Lord Shiva. And, mushrooming media has played a great role in making Teej wider and more popular. Music, dance, ostentatious wearings and eatings – these are the key features of Teej that are only making it more appealing, popular and also at the same time notorious, too. From a small girl to aging oldies, women are seen reveling in the great festival disregard of their opinions as to in what way Teej should be celebrated.

Not only women, men equally rejoice the festival. When I texted a female friend asking how you celebrating ‘your’ festival, she disagreed and replied Teej is now ‘our’ festival. She was hinting at the widening popularity of Teej among men. Yes, Teej is basically for women, but it has nonetheless become an appealing festival for men too in recent years.

And, burgeoning media has stoked up excitements in Teej by promoting events and airing Teej-songs and videos round the clock since months before Teej arrives. Music and dance are what can keep people enthralled and Teej is all about that. Besides this, Lord Shiva is another appealing part of Teej. He’s the most beloved god and Teej marks his extensive worshiping with women and girls taking fast.

I think Teej is the only Hindu fiesta after Fagu Purnima (Holi) that has been able to keep pace with rapid modernization and transition of society.

Great festivals Dashain and Tihar, however, have failed in this regard. These behemoths are very far from being populist as Teej. Dashain is criticized for cruel animal killings and sacrifices while Tihar is notorious for gambling and unhealthy card games in one of the world’s poorest countries.

Teej should be declared national holiday without further ado, for it’s already become a popular national festival.