On the occasion of Nepal’s grand festival for women, Haritalika Teej, the Tourism Entrepreneur Women Association Nepal (TEWAN) is set to organize the third edition of the Teej Cultural Festival. The event will take place on Bhadra 10 and 11 (August 26–27) at Barahighat, Lakeside, Pokhara–6. The announcement was made during a press conference held in Pokhara on Wednesday.
The festival will be organized under the theme, “Preserve Culture, Contribute to Tourism Promotion,” aiming to blend traditional festivities with tourism development. Activities will include a Teej song competition, dance performances, tug-of-war, sari race, and the traditional “ghaito futaune” (pot-breaking) contest.
Vibrant Stalls and Cultural Showcases
According to TEWAN President Shobha Neupane Pandey, the festival venue will feature around a dozen stalls. Among them will be a Mehendi zone and beauty booths dedicated to women’s adornment, blending color and creativity. She expressed that the festival will showcase Nepal’s cultural identity at both national and international levels, further promoting tourism in Pokhara.
The event will also feature the Talk-Show Program, focusing on women’s empowerment, inspirational journeys of women leaders, and stories of social change, informed TEWAN General Secretary Shobha Adhikari Poudel.
Attractive Prizes for Competitions
The much-anticipated Teej song competition will award NPR 35,000 to the first-place winner, NPR 25,000 to the second, and NPR 20,000 to the third. Additionally, ten consolation prizes of NPR 4,000 each will be given to other participating groups. TEWAN Secretary and Festival Coordinator Shanta Subedi Timilsina noted that winners of other competitions will also receive attractive prizes.
Economic and Tourism Benefits
Former TEWAN President and festival initiator Kamala Giri shared that the festival aims not only to celebrate Teej but also to boost tourism, stimulate local economic activity, and attract both domestic and foreign tourists. “Our main goal is to preserve culture while creating a brand similar to events like the Lakeside Street Festival, Fewa New Year Festival, and the Paddy Plantation Festival,” she said. The festival will include participation from all 11 districts of Gandaki Province, with cultural displays representing different ethnic groups.
Community Support and Collaboration
Pokhara–6 Ward Chairperson Bishnu Bahadur Bhattarai praised TEWAN for bringing exemplary programs that blend cultural preservation with tourism promotion. He assured full support from the ward office.
Similarly, Gandaki Province Chief of the Nepal Tourism Board, Maniraj Lamichhane, stated that such events help reaffirm Pokhara as an all-season tourist destination. “Our support will always be there for tourism-promotional programs like the Teej Cultural Festival,” he added.
Reviving Traditional Teej Celebrations
Senior tourism entrepreneur Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai expressed hope that the festival would revive the traditional style of Teej celebrations, where women used to gather in open fields to sing and dance. “This event will bring back the charm of those days,” he said. Pokhara Tourism Council Chairperson Taranath Pahari also expressed commitment to fully support the event, noting its dual role in adding vibrancy to Teej while boosting tourism.
Festival Details and Program Highlights
The festival will kick off with a rally starting from Hallanchowk at 10:30 AM on Bhadra 10, followed by an opening ceremony at Barahighat at 11:30 AM. The Teej song competition will center around the theme of Tourism Promotion and Women’s Entrepreneurship.
The third Teej Cultural Festival will be organized under the motto, “Equal Participation for Sustainable Tourism.” It will be a province-level event, involving both domestic and international visitors, with the participation of all 11 districts of Gandaki Province.
Key highlights include:
- Teej Song Competition (Theme: Tourism Promotion and Women’s Entrepreneurship)
- Talk Show on women’s empowerment and success stories
- Friendly Tug-of-War and Sari Race competitions
- Best Dance, Best Costume, and cultural parade awards
- Traditional Ghaito Futaune contest
- Cultural Parade and Rally from Hallanchowk starting at 10:30 AM on the opening day
Star Performances
The festival will also feature special performances by popular folk singers Haridevi Koirala, Cholendra Paudel, Sita KC, Ramji Paudel, Saraswati Lamichhane, and Maya KC. Cultural rallies will be held with participants in traditional attire, and transportation costs will be provided for groups joining the rally in cultural dress.
An Open Invitation
TEWAN has extended an open invitation to locals, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts to participate in this grand celebration of tradition and tourism. The organizers believe that the Teej Cultural Festival will not only preserve the heritage of Teej but also help brand it as a tourism-friendly event in Pokhara.
