Kathmandu ( AsiaNews) - A hymn to materialism , rather than a celebration of faith and spirituality : that's how many experts describe the traditional festival of Teej , the largest Hindu celebration dedicated to women. The festival which ended yesterday , according to some highlights the gap between rich and poor, rather than being a time of fellowship and prayer for the faithful .
"The festival - Govinda Tandon representative of the temple of Pashupatinath told AsiaNews, - has its sacredness and shows the devotion of women to the god Shiva. Today, however, we see an exhibition of personal material superiority, instead of faith. There is a huge rush to use expensive jewelry, which faith does not require. This desire for superiority is creating a gap between rich and poor that is likely to create a conflict in the community".
Dedicated to the goddess Parvati commemorating her union with Lord Shiva , the festival of Teej is an opportunity for Hindu women - married and unmarried - to ask for a happy married life or to find their great love . According to tradition, a day before the fast of Teej women gather together to share gifts of food, clothing, and jewelry , wearing a red sari . During fasting - which lasts from sunrise to sunset - they can not touch even a drop of water and have to sing hymns and songs before the images or temples dedicated to Shiva.
With each passing year, however , this celebration is losing its "spiritual" meaning, and it is not uncommon to hear of young women - especially from poor castes - who sell a kidney to buy jewelry to donate to Teej .
