Story by Jay Sanni and Photo by Dipendra Bhandari
On Saturday, September 8th, the Nepalese community in Calgary celebrated Teej, a fun-filled, Hindu-origin festival designed to commemorate “the long- and conjugal life of husband as well as a happy and peaceful relation in the family.” The main attendees of Teej festivals are usually Nepalese women or women of Nepalese origin. Teej is perhaps the festival most celebrated by women of Nepalese origin. In fact, in modern day, the festival has become “a way {for Nepalese women} to raise their voices for equality.” This year’s Teej Festival in Calgary took place at the Richmond Knob Community Hall, the event began early evening at 5pm and finished late evening at 11pm. The attendees danced to and sang cultural or traditional songs, fasted, and also worshipped Hindu gods and goddesses.
“Teej” is one of the biggest festivals for Nepalese women during which they offer prayers seeking the blessings of marital happiness, longevity and prosperity of their family.
Nepalese Community Society Of Calgary (NCSC) organized Teej festival on Saturday, 8th September 2018 at Calgary Marlborough Community Hall. The festival is a way for our community to display our rich culture through food, music, dance, cloth and much more. Famous Nepali folk singer Ms Komal Oli was invited to the event, Her presentation made more than four hundred ladies dance on the floor. The programme was considered one of the most successful events for NCSC, Dipendra Bhandari, Media Coordinator for Nepalese Community Society Of Calgary.
