This past weekend was the three day Hindu Women's Festival of Teej. The ladies wear red and both feast and fast while praying for their husbands and children, or for their future husbands if not married. The first day they gather together to sing devotional songs and dance before having a large meal in the evening. This is because the second day is the fast, when they go without any food or water. (Some do choose to have a little fruit and water, others choose nothing.)
On this fasting day, they will gather in/near the temples to pray and worship. At the end of the day, after the fast (or semi-fast, whichever they choose to do), traditionally they wash the feet of their husband and drink the water. Yes, you read that right. (However, again, some choose to do this and some not.)
The third day is the cleansing day when they go to a river and bathe (some 365 times) with red mud (found on the roots and leaves of a certain bush). There is also more worshiping.
At some point, they go to their parents' home for food and gifts, but I'm not sure when.
However, here on our campus, everything was business as usual and we had a lovely church service and potluck dinner!
Take care and God bless!
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