Kajari Teej 2017: Let's Celebrate The Vibrancy Of Womanhood!

Kajari Teej in 2017 is scheduled to be celebrated on August 10. Kajari Teej, also known as Badi Teej, celebrates womanhood and their forbearance to safeguard their husbands. Read the article to know more about Kajli Teej and its significance.

What Is Kajari Teej?

As you know about what the festival of Teej signifies, let's take a brief look at it once again. Teej is a festival that is associated with the nuptial bond of marriage. In India, the bond of marriage is given high regards and hence, Teej is also paid hearty reverence. On Teej, fast is performed by married women for the longevity of their husbands; maidens also observe Teej Vrat (fast) in order to get their desired life-partners.

Teej is categorized into four major types; Kajari Teej is one of them. Since, the festival of Teej is so important, you might all be very curious to know about Kajari Teej in detail. Don't worry as we have brought you everything about Kajari Teej.

According to the Hindu calendar, Kajari Teej is celebrated on the third day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. Kajri Teej is also known by the names like Kajli Teej and Badi Teej. Alike all other Teej festivals, the day of Kajali Teej is also considered to be a special day for women.

'Teej' means third and considering the day of celebration of this festival, it is known as Kajari Teej. But, what does 'Kajari' means? We will definitely discuss the significance of the word 'Kajari'. But before doing it, let's know when Kajari Teej will be celebrated in 2017.

Teej 2017 Dates

Teej is sub-divided into four major types. They are as follows:

Event	Day	Date	Tithi
Akha Teej 2017	Friday	April 28	Tritiya
Hariyali Teej 2017/Singhara Teej 2017	Wednesday	July 26	Tritiya
Kajari Teej	Thursday	August 10	Tritiya
Hartalika Teej	Thursday	August 24	Tritiya

The date of Kajari Teej in 2017 will hopefully help you in considering the festival with a more meticulous approach. Now, let's discuss the significance of Kajari Teej and why we should celebrate it.

Why Is Kajari Teej Celebrated?

Kajari Teej or Badi Teej has more than one legend associated with it. In this section, we will let you know the actual mythological significance of Badi Teej. They are as follows:

Kajari Teej : Mythological Origin Of Kajari Teej

According to mythological beliefs, Kajali was the name of a dense forest located in Central India. The region around the forest was ruled by King Dadurai. The people of his kingdom used to sing songs known by the same name (Kajali) in praise of the magnificent place. But, do you know that Kajali songs are famous to be sung in grief?

It was the death of King Dadurai that changed the whole scenario. After his death, his wife, Queen Nagamati performed Sati (an ancient ritual of women burning themselves alive with the dead body of their husbands). People of Kajali were overwhelmed by the grief and improvised Raga Kajari. Since then, Kajari songs became popular as the songs of separation.

Kajari Teej : Significance Of Devotion On Kajari Teej

Badi Teej is also associated with devotion and dedication of a woman toward her husband. You may also be a bit surprised to know that Devas (Gods) and Devis (Goddesses) initiated the concept of Teej much before than our existence.

Legend has it that Goddess Parvati longed to marry Lord Shiva; although, Shiva had asked to prove her devotion toward him. To prove her devotion and dedication toward Lord Shiva, Parvati observed a penance for an unbelievable tenure. She performed a fast for 108 years, before she was accepted by Shiva. This divine union between Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi took place during Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month.This day, later, came to be known as Kajari Teej. Therefore, it is said to be very auspicious to worship Goddess Parvati on the day of Badi Teej or Kajali Teej.

Now, as you know the reason to celebrate Kajli Teej and also, the mythological origin of the festival, let's know how Kajari Teej should be celebrated.

How To Celebrate Kajari Teej?

Kajari Teej is celebrated on the third day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. Kajari Teej is also known by the names like Kajli Teej and Badi Teej.

• Kajari Teej 2017 Date: August 10, 2017
• Kajari Teej 2017 Date: August 29, 2018
• Observance: Celebrates womanhood and their forbearance to safeguard their husbands.

Various rituals are followed on this day as well, the rituals have been given below:

1. On Kajari Teej or Badi Teej, swings are hung from trees for women.
2. Since, this is a special day for women, they spend their day swinging, singing songs, dancing, and getting involved in a lot more relishable activities.
3. Women observe Kajari Teej Vrat on Kajli Teej. Married women keep Teej Vrat for the longevity of their husbands, while unmarried ladies observe the fast to get their desired spouses.
4. Since, Kajli songs are an essential part of Kajari Teej celebrations, rural men celebrate Kajari Teej in a musical pattern. In rural areas, boatmen sing Kajali songs and enlighten the environment with their emotional voices. It is also popular as Teeja in such areas.
5. A variety of food delicacies are prepared on the day of Kajari Teej. All in all, the day is a display of festive carnival.

No festival is complete without sensing the taste of food. What about the food that is prepared on the day of Kajari Teej? Let's take a look at the variety of food delicacies that are generally prepared on Kajli Teej.

Food Delicacies Of Kajari Teej

Following are the dishes that are prepared for the day of Kajari Teej:

• Ghevar (traditional Rajasthani sweet-dish)
• Kheer Puri
• Dal Bati Churma (oriental Rajasthani dish)
• Coconut Laddoo
• Strawberry Muffins
• Badam ka Halwa
• Besan Laddoo
• Gujiya
• Kaju Katli

The festival of Kajari Teej is also associated with vibrancy and enthusiasm. Now, we will be taking a look at the events that take place on Badi Teej making it more colorful.

Vibrant Colors Of Badi Teej

Teej dance is a popular way of celebrating womanhood on the day of Kajari Teej. On the day of Kajli Teej, women perform Teej dance, along with Teej songs. Teej dance resembles the dance performed by peacocks. Women evoke the mood of a peacock with this dance.

In Rajasthan, Teej procession takes place on the day of Kajali Teej. In this procession, Goddess Parvati is carried on a palanquin and taken to the streets. Devotees gather in groups to add more enthuse to the divine procession.

Exchange of gifts is also an important part of Kajari Teej. Married women are gifted with the items of Shringara (adornments of women representing marital bliss) by their parents. Shringara includes jewelry, clothes, sweet items, etc. Since the day is very divine for the ladies, they dress up elegantly on Kajli Teej. They also apply Mehendi (henna tattoo) on their hands. Altogether, women gets the full liberty to fill grace to this holy day of Teej.

Let this Kajri Teej fill colors to your lives through the numerous penances performed by women, all these years. The day of Kajari Teej not only rejuvenates the bond of marriage, it has got the power to safeguard a man's life.

We, at AstroSage, wishe you a Happy Kajari Teej..!