MUSHALPUR, Sept 13 - At a time when family relations are growing feebler and values are dwindling, the Gorkha community of Baksa district celebrated Teej, a festival where married sisters and daughters are invited to their paternal home for a special feast.
Teej was celebrated here on September 11 and 12.
In addition to family feasts, community feasts are organised for women of the village so that women without maternal homes or brothers do not miss the celebration. Generally, men prepare the food for the women who rejoice through singing and dancing.
Dhakaney � rice fried in ghee and cooked in milk and sugar � is the special dish for the occasion. It is served with a special vegetable curry and powdered pickle made from beaten mustard.
The next day, the women keep fast from dawn to dusk praying for the well-being of their husbands and family members. The fast � known as Haritalika brat � is broken with a community or family puja performed at dusk.
