Kajari Teej 2023: In the northern regions of India, particularly in states such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, Teej is celebrated with immense enthusiasm. During the Sawan and Bhadrapada months, women partake in the festivities, observing three popular Teej festivals:
- Hariyali Teej
- Kajari Teej
- Hartalika Teej
Kajari Teej typically falls three days after Raksha Bandhan and five days prior to Krishna Janmashtami. Its occurrence coincides with the Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month in the North Indian calendar and the Krishna Paksha of Shravana month in the South Indian calendar. Interestingly, Kajari Teej aligns on the same day in both calendars. Unlike Chhoti Teej, also known as Hariyali Teej, Kajari Teej is referred to as Badi Teej.
Kajari Teej 2023: Date
For the year 2023, Kajari Teej is scheduled for Saturday, September 2. The Tritiya Tithi begins at 11:50 PM on September 1, 2023, and ends at 08:49 PM on September 2, 2023.
Kajari Teej 2023: Shubh Muhurat
The shubh muhurat for performing Kajari Teej puja is September 2 from 7:57 AM to 9:31 AM. Meanwhile, the shubh muhurat dring night time will be in effect from 9:45 PM to 11:12 PM.
Kajari Teej 2023: Rituals
Kajari Teej is marked by spirited and joyous celebrations on its eve. While regional customs infuse unique flavors into the festival, certain core rituals remain consistent, including:
- Married women observe the Kajari Teej fast to ensure the longevity and prosperity of their husbands.
- Unmarried girls also participate in this fast, seeking blessings for a suitable life partner.
- The fast is traditionally broken by worshiping the Moon or, in some cases, by venerating the Neem tree.
- A special mixture called Sattu, made from rice, gram, wheat, and barley, is meticulously prepared.
- Paying homage to cows holds significant importance during Kajari Teej. Devotees typically feed these sacred animals with small chapatis made from wheat flour, ghee, and jaggery before partaking in their own meals.
- Hindu women engage in song and dance, accompanied by folk tunes, while adorning their homes with beautifully decorated swings.
- The festivities are further enriched by the presence of traditional songs. People from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, in particular, sing a variety of Kajari Teej songs, creating a lively and celebratory atmosphere.
Kajari Teej 2023: Puja Vidhi
The sacred festival of Kajari Teej is associated with Goddess Neemdi, also known as Neemdi Maa. Before the puja begins, there is also a ritual that involves building a pond-like structure out of some kind of wall. The structure’s outer edges are decorated with jaggery and pure ghee.
A sprig of Neem is planted nearby. Devotees pour water and raw milk near the structure and light a lamp. Whole rice, sacred thread, vermilion, sattu, fruits, cucumber, and lemon are used to decorate the puja thali. Raw milk is stored in the vessel, and devotees worship Goddess Neemdi as follows in the evening:
- The goddess is presented with rice, vermilion (indoor), and a sprinkling of water.
- 13 dots are made with henna and vermilion on the ring finger, while 13 dots are made with Kohl on the ring finger.
- Following the offering of the sacred thread to the goddess, the dress, kohl, and henna are presented.
- The wall is then adorned with a sacred thread that has been marked with dots.
- Aside from that, fruits are presented to the goddess.
- On Puja Kalash, devotees tie a sacred thread around the Kalash (sacred vessel) and place a Tilak with vermilion on it.
- In the light of a diya (clay lamp) placed next to the pond, women have to look at a nose pin, neem sprig, cucumber and lemon in the light of the lamp (diya). An offering is then made to Arghya Moon.
Kajari Teej 2023: Fasting Rules
- Women who are adhering to the strict Kajari Teej Fast should eat something before sunrise. Following that, they abstain from eating and drinking.
- After that, the married women dress up and worship the Neem tree and the Moon before breaking their fast.
- When a woman begins to observe this fast, she must ontinue this ritual for a period of 16 years.
Kajari Teej is a festival that all Hindu women look forward to. It is a vibrant festival for them and holds significance because it is associated with their marital happiness and their husband’s long life.
Kajari Teej 2023: Significance
Not just Kajari Teej, each of the Teej festivals is extremely important to married women who observe a day-long nirjala fast. Women in North Indian states, particularly Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, observe the occasion. While married women pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and fast (without food or water) for the well-being of their husbands, unmarried girls perform the same rituals in order to find a suitable partner.
