Teej - Girls Night Out

It is that time of year again already. The women of Kathmandu took to the streets yesterday in their best (usually) red saris and jewelery to celebrate Teej. During Teej women fast and pray to Shiva for prosperity and long life for their husbands. Single gals pray for their Prince Charming as well. It was a hot day and most women held umbrellas over their heads for shade. The lines at the most important Shiva temple were thousands deep - women waiting to go do their puja (worship) before moving on to dance and sing with friends. It is a total spectacle. The Color!

These are "pote" - the long beaded necklaces worn by married women.

This man was swimming against the Red Tide. I loved how typical this scene was to me of a major thoroughfare in Kathmandu with billboards in the background etc.

Nice jewelery! This piece as well as the Mangal Sutra are both worn by married women. Not fair that the single women have to be unadorned but that is the way it is.

Aren't the saris gorgeous?

The men were the street hawkers that day selling balloons, fruit, fabric and anything else they thought all these ladies might buy.

This is me just dressing the part. (Don't I wish - I was in classic frumpy mommy attire - it was really pathetic actually. I just have to get my mojo back. Another topic, another time.)

Mahendi painting - similar to henna.

Just a little embarrassed to be having her picture taken.

Oh. my. goodness. She is just amazing.

Jingle jangle, buy a bangle?

Oh this gal on the right is so tired. And hot. And hungry.

Happy Teej folks.