The festival of Kajari Teej is observed annually on the Tritiya Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, which falls on August 22 this year. Kajari Teej holds similar significance to Karva Chauth. As noted by astrologer Praduman Suri, Kajari Teej is primarily celebrated in North India, where married women perform sixteen adornments and worship Gauri-Shankar following traditional rituals. A key similarity between Kajari Teej and Karva Chauth is that on Kajari Teej, married women observe a Nirjala fast for the longevity of their husbands and only break the fast after offering Arghya to the moon in the evening.
On Kajari Teej, married women fast for the long life of their husbands. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva with full devotion on this day helps unmarried girls find a good groom and ensures a long life for married women’s husbands. Consequently, unmarried girls also observe a fast on this day to find a suitable groom. Various types of sweet dishes are prepared, and women gather together to perform the worship. This festival is particularly celebrated in the northern states of India.
According to legend, Lord Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati as his wife on Kajari Teej, which falls on the third day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. Goddess Parvati desired to marry Lord Shiva, but he asked her to prove her devotion first. Determined to have Shiva as her husband, Goddess Parvati performed penance for 108 years to please him. From the day she finally met Lord Shiva, this day began to be celebrated as Kajari Teej or Karji Teej. On this day, women worship both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, praying for a happy and healthy married life.
The Tritiya Tithi of Krishna Paksha will start on August 21 at 5.15 pm and will continue till 1.46 pm the next day. This fast will be observed on August 22 according to the Udaya Tithi. The auspicious time for worship on this day will be between 5:50 am and 7:30 am. Both married and unmarried women observe the Kajari Teej fast for a happy married life. To begin, one should bathe early in the morning during Brahma Muhurta and then wear clean clothes. After this, offer water to the Sun God while reciting mantras and clean the shrine. For the worship, spread a red or yellow cloth on a platform and place a picture or idol of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva on it. Next, perform the Abhishek of Lord Shiva and offer him Belpatra and Dhatura. Present sixteen makeup items to Goddess Parvati. Recite the story of Kajari Teej, perform Aarti by lighting a lamp, and worship the Moon God at night. Finally, break the fast by offering water to the Moon God.
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