Patna Celebrates Teej with Vibrant Traditions and Family Bonding

On August 24, 2025, just two days before the Teej festival, the city of Patna is abuzz with preparations. The markets are filled with the sights and sounds of the upcoming celebrations – the air is fragrant with the smell of 'mehendi' and the gentle clinking of lac bangles, while women shop for new sarees in shades of red, pink, yellow, and green.

The core of the Teej festival is a 24-hour 'nirjala upvas', or fast, observed by married women to pray for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. While fasting can be challenging, especially for working women, they make it a point to take a day off and restrict their movements to avoid feeling thirsty. The rituals are mostly passed down from mother-in-law to daughter-in-law, strengthening family bonds.

Teej is not just about fasting; it is also a time for women to deck up in their finest attire. Avoiding the color black, they prefer chiffon, organza, or silk sarees ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. Lac bangles, sindoor, aalta, bindi, and mehendi are essential accessories for the festival. Home-made sweets like gujiya, milk peda, and thekua are also a must-have.

While Teej is a prominent cultural event in Bihar, it has transcended its regional roots, with people from outside the state embracing it as a part of their new community life. The festival's vibrant celebrations and the sense of family bonding it fosters make it a cherished tradition in Patna and beyond.