Teej is upon us once again. A Hindu festival, its origin dates back to union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The story goes that Goddess Parvati fasted and prayed for many births and rebirths to have Lord Shiva as her spouse, and seeing her devotion to him, Lord Shiva eventually accepted her as his wife. Thus, today Teej is celebrated by Hindu women to commemorate their union and to pray for similar marital bliss in their lives. The festival in recent years has gotten much wrath from feminists and progressive women and men alike. Specifically for, system of patriarchic hierarchy they say it perpetuates. The act of women fasting and praying for their men’s well being and longevity, “male worshipping”, is seen by many as way to maintain male status quo.
Whether you take ‘fasting’ as a subjugation of women and not participate in this aspect of the festival, or you take it as a test of your will power and discipline, or a day to pray for your loved ones’ well-being and willingly participate it, as long as it is a choice you make and that you are not coerced into it, we at didibahini.com think that we should respect each other’s decision.However, having said that if you are feasting as well as fasting, it is important to know their implications to your health and be mindful of your own health while praying for well being of your loved ones.