“Neel Shasthi” is a very famous rituals in Hinduism performed by married women. “Neel Shasthi” & “Charak Puja” are two hindu rituals occurred just before starting bengali new year.
‘NeelShasthi’ is the day in the Bengali month of Chaitra when Bengalis celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva with Devi Parvati by offering puja to the Lord. This puja is done by the married women folk to seek the blessings of the Lord for their husbands & children. According to certain beliefs the word ‘Neel’ is derived from ‘Neelkantha’, which means a person with a blue colored throat, which actually indicates Lord Shiva.
On the hot day of Chaitra the women fast through out the day & finally in the evening they visit the nearby temple of the Lord Shiva & pour milk over the ‘ Shiva lingam‘ & offer bel leaves & flowers. Inscence sticks along with the ‘pradeep’ or holy lamp are lighted & fruits & sweets are offered. They return home & break their fast by having the ‘prasad’ (the fruits offered to & later blessed by the god).
