Join Global Volunteers in Nepal for the Teej Festival
Nepal is a country rich in beauty, culture, and tradition from the towering peaks of the Himalayas to centuries-old temples, vibrant folk music, and food that tells the story of its people. It’s a place that has to be experienced to be understood. And in September 2026, Global Volunteers is offering a rare chance to experience it in one of the most meaningful ways possible: alongside the women of Nepal as they celebrate Teej.
Hartalika Teej is one of Nepal’s most cherished festivals, observed each year by women across the country. The celebration is rooted in the story of the Goddess Parvati, who was set to marry a man she did not love. Choosing her own path instead, she retreated into the forest, enduring three days without food, water, or shelter while she waited for the one she truly loved, Lord Shiva. On the third day, she was granted the right to marry him.
Today, Teej honors that story as a celebration of love, freedom of choice, and safety. Women come together for three days of fasting, prayer, singing, and dancing, often dressed in bright red, as they mark the arrival of the monsoon season and reaffirm bonds of family and community. It’s a festival built on devotion, but also, unmistakably, on women’s strength and autonomy.
Why This Year Is Different
Teej falls on September 14–16, 2026, and a Global Volunteers team will be in-country during the celebration. Our Nepal service program runs September 5–19, 2026, so you can participate in Teej. Join us and witness the color, the music, and the community spirit firsthand, in a way very few outside visitors ever get to.
More Than a Cultural Moment
You will work alongside Nepalese local people on community projects, building relationships that last well beyond the two weeks on the ground. Teej adds another layer, a chance to stand alongside the local women you’re serving with, in celebration.
Service during Teej can take many forms, depending on your interests and skills. Volunteers are needed to teach conversational English to students in small groups, giving them tools that will shape their future education and job prospects. Others are needed to put their hands to work brightening classrooms and repairing furniture to make community facilities safer and more functional. There’s also a strong focus on gender equality, supporting women who missed out on schooling as girls. They want to learn English, basic computer skills, nutrition, child development, and personal health. Connect with kids by teaching music, dance, and crafts as an after-school mentor. And for those with a knack for technology, computer education is always in demand, helping students build the digital skills essential to success in today’s world.
Whatever your strengths, there’s a meaningful way to contribute in Nepal.
Space Is Limited
Because of the timing and the significance of this particular team, space on this Nepal service program is limited. Experience Nepal’s culture at its fullest, make a genuine difference in the lives of the people you meet. This is the year!
Contact us to learn more and reserve your spot on the Nepal team.
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