Women dance the night away at the Shepparton Teej Festival.
About 200 members of Shepparton’s Nepalese community gathered together recently to dance the night away at a cultural festival.
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The Teej Festival, held at St Augustine’s Church hall on August 19, holds special significance for Nepali Hindu women.
Greater Shepparton Nepalese Community secretary Bishal Kunwar said Teej was a celebration of joy, hope and unity, where women dressed in traditional red attire, shared blessings and engaged in dancing, music and feasting.
Ivy Kumar, Arosha Subedi, Aria Sitaula, Aarusha Karki and Ariana Baral at the Neej Festival.
This is the third time GSNC has hosted the festival in Shepparton since the group’s official formation in October 2022.
A major highlight of the evening was the performance by renowned Nepalese folk singers Ramji Khad and Shanta Rani Pariyar, whose music had the crowd dancing.
Mr Kunwar said what made this year’s event especially meaningful was its dual focus in celebrating the cultural essence of Teej, which honours women and mothers, but also raising awareness about maternal and women’s health in a culturally inclusive way, in collaboration with Smart Health Global.
Singer Ramji Khad poses with the crowd as they dance.
The evening featured a rich blend of cultural performances, community engagement activities and health advocacy presentations.
Among the guests at this year’s event was a delegation of four mayors from four municipalities in Nepal who were visiting Australia, as well as City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali, state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe and Shepparton and District Ethnic Council chief executive Sam Atukorala.
Some of the crowd that attended this year’s Neej Festival in Shepparton.
The evening was filled with Nepalese cultural dance performances, traditional food and speeches.
Cr Sali spoke about the strong multicultural fabric of Greater Shepparton, while Ms O’Keeffe highlighted the importance of community bonding and cultural celebration.
Raju Adhikari and Manoj Khadka delivered insightful presentations that connected the traditional values of Teej with modern health advocacy, especially around maternal and women’s health.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali with several women who were resplendent in red for the festival.
Mr Kunwar praised the event.
“The event not only celebrated our heritage but also reflected the growing presence and contribution of the Nepalese diaspora in Shepparton, who continue to enrich the local economy and cultural landscape,” he said.
Mr Kunwar also thanked Lekha Aryal for his co-ordination of this year’s event.
Among those at the Neej Festival were event host Yachana Koirala, Greater Shepparton Nepalese Community president Gyan Lama, state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe, City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali, Shepparton and District Ethnic Council chief executive Sam Atukorala and event host Jyothi Bhandari.
State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe and Jyoti Sharma at the Neej Festival.
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