What is Kajari Teej, when is it celebrated?

The festival is known as Kajari Teej or what it stands for, and the reason for its celebration. Kajari Teej, or 'Badi Teej,' also known as 'Kajali Teej' and 'Satudi Teej' (because it generally falls on a Saturday on some days), is a major Hindu festival predominantly observed by women in various states across northern and central India such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. It is celebrated approximately once every year at various times.

It is usually observed on the Tritiya Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad. Via fast, women placate various Gods and Goddesses. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati thereby requesting for a healthy conjugal relationship, husbands long life and good life, single women for and a good husband in the next life. Kajari Teej is one of the Teej Celebrations which are being held during the monsoon season.

It is a joyous festival of devotional commitment along with a testament to monsoon and its boon for the agricultural aspect of our nation.

Kajari Teej 2026: Dates and Times

This year Kajari Teej falls on 31 August 2026. The tritita tithi which falls during the celebration begins at 9.36 AM-9.39 AM on the 30th of August, while ending on 31st of August at approximately 8.50 AM - 8.53 AM. With regard to the Udaya Tithi, the Kajari Teej 2026 fast will be observed in the year 2026 on the 31st of August. To have more accurate information on time and Pooja muhurat of Kajari Teej in the year 2026 please consult the local panchang. 

Kajari Teej 2026: Cultural and religious Significance

Kajri Teej signifies a female's devotedness and devotion as well as robustness of her matrimony, that was sacred to Shiva and Parvati. It commemorates the sheer determination  undertaken by Goddess Parvati that she would always stay together in union with Lord Shiva.  Also with this to turn keep her relationship with her husband intact during married life. Single women on the other hand pray to be blessed by a partner during their lives, not only spiritual as well as religious sentiments that are observed during Kajri Teej.

Kajari Teej Vrat Katha

A popular Kajari Teej Vrat Katha (story) revolves around a poor Brahmin and his devout wife. One day on the day of the vrat, his wife needed sattu for her puja. Since they were extremely poor, the husband resorted to preparing sattu from the flour at a grocer's shop and was caught.

When the moneylender or grocer was informed about his wife's faith and her religious observances, he was deeply moved and blessed the couple with sattu, new clothes, jewelry and wealth.

The couple then eagerly offered their puja and soon flourished. The Kajari Teej Vrat Katha essentially emphasizes that devout hearts and faithful minds receive the blessings and bounty of divine grace.

Kajari Teej Puja Vidhi

Kajari Teej Puja Vidhi starts in the morning of the festivity. Get up, take a bath, put on clean clothes and make a sankalp (resolve). Keep a branch of the Neem tree or a kund (pot) to represent Goddess Parvati (Kajari Mata) on a sacred spot.

The devotees are expected to offer the offering of sattu, wheat, grams, flowers, fruits, roli and akshat along with all the necessary items for a woman (suhag samagri) while worshipping the divine couple. Especially Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and listen to the recital of the Vrat Katha while a ghee lamp is lit and Aarti performed.

In the evening, Arghya is offered to the moon after the moonrise and breaking of the fast takes place. Other important Kajari Teej Puja Samagri include mehendi, kajal, sweets, and many others.

Kajari Teej Vrat Rules & Traditions

There is typically a complete fasting observed on this vrat, meaning a 'nirjala vrat', during which absolutely nothing is taken, neither food nor water throughout the day. However, some women take a 'phalahari' vrat where only fruits are consumed. During this vrat for pregnant women, even this may be amended allowing even more laxity as she is served fruits. Fasting for Kajari Teej will take place after the moonrise, worship and offering it to a cow. Women often apply mehendi, wear traditional outfits (most of the time it’s green), and 16 shringar along with others and it is considered extremely lucky if such a fast continues for several years.

Kajari Teej: Traditional Celebrations & Customs

Kajari Teej is predominantly a fun and entertaining festival that celebrates with music (often Teej songs or Kajri songs), rides (Jhoolas), folk dances, other communal gatherings and many other activities in the rural northern parts of India.

During Teej celebrations women typically perform folk dances, singing sorrowfully beautiful songs to express the feeling of love and loss and sometimes longing for togetherness and reunions. 

It is custom in Rajasthan to perform a royal procession (Shobha Yatra of Teej Mata), arrange for mehendi parties, create special items from sattu and enjoy several other folk and fair events to celebrate the monsoon harvest in the country. 

Best Places to Experience Kajari Teej Celebrations

1)  Kajari Teej in Bundi - This 15-day Kajali Teej Mela is the largest and most renowned during this festival. The Mela, hosted in a traditional Royal Shobha Yatra of Teej Mata comes with elephants, folk artistes and a variety of tableaux (jhankis) in Kumbha Stadium that attract hordes of devotees.

2)  Kajari Teej in Jaipur - This historic city hosts cheerful processions, folk events and traditional performances that are vibrant and deeply soaked in the city’s rich past and legacy.

3)  Kajari Teej in Udaipur - With serene surroundings and lakeside views this city hosts cultural shows along with rhythmic beats of traditional music providing serene moments along its picturesque setting. 

Kajari Teej 2026 Do’s and Dont’s 

 DOs - Observance of Vrat with full sincerity, reciting and listening to the story of the fast, worshiping the Moon, adorning traditional clothing, and distributing the Prasad amongst your beloved ones.

 DON’Ts - Breaking of the vrat before the eyes of Moon, the consumption of non-vegetarian meals, avoidance of ritualistic procedures. 

Conclusion

Kajari Teej 2026 signifies festivity, joy and an essential part of Rajasthani traditions. Follow the fasts and traditions with your partner to have strong marital relations, or head down toBundi melafor festivities. 

If you want to learn more about other important festivals and vrat falling around this time, you can also read our guides on Varalakshmi Vrat 2026, Raksha Bandhan 2026, and Shravan Putrada Ekadashi 2026.