Nepali Ambassador to India, Shankar Prasad Sharma, highlighted the deep-rooted cultural connection between India and Nepal through the shared celebration of Hariyali Teej, a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Speaking to ANI, Ambassador Sharma emphasized that the festival is a powerful symbol of the spiritual and cultural unity between the two Himalayan neighbors. “This is a common culture between India and Nepal. We believe that Mahadev and Parvati reside in the Himalayas, and as a Himalayan country, Nepal also sees their presence as divine. That’s why Teej is celebrated with such devotion in Nepal, especially by women,” he said.
Hariyali Teej, observed on the Tritiya of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Shravan, commemorates the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. In Nepal, it is celebrated with equal fervor as Hartalika Teej, with both married and unmarried women participating in prayers and fasting rituals.
Commenting on Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s potential visit to India, Sharma confirmed that preparations are underway. “We are working on a date. Discussions are ongoing to finalize several agreements related to digital and physical infrastructure. Once completed, the Prime Minister’s visit will be scheduled,” he stated.
He also praised the India-Nepal open border policy as a testament to the nations’ strong bilateral ties. “The open border reflects our people-to-people connection. Citizens of both countries can travel freely without a visa or passport. This shows that our relationship is not only cultural but also economic and deeply interdependent,” Sharma added.
The remarks come amid growing diplomatic cooperation between the two nations and shared efforts to strengthen regional integration through cultural and infrastructural collaboration.