Kajari Teej, alternatively named Badi Teej, holds significant importance as a Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor across various parts of India. This festival holds special importance for married women, who observe fasting and perform rituals to seek Goddess Parvati’s blessings for their husband’s well-being and longevity. In 2023, families are anticipating Kajari Teej as a day of joy and devotion while celebrating this auspicious occasion. This blog post will delve into the details of Kajari Teej 2023, including its exact date, Subh Muhurat (auspicious timing), and the customary puja rituals.
Kajari Teej 2023 Date:
Kajari Teej aligns with the third day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) in Bhadrapada (August-September). As per the Drik Panchang, Kajari Teej is set for September 2 this year. The Tritiya Tithi starts at 11:50 p.m. on September 1 and ends at 8:49 p.m. on September 2.
Significance of Kajari Teej
Kajari Teej marks the onset of the monsoon season in India. The festival holds agricultural significance as it coincides with when farmers began sowing wheat and barley crops. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar celebrate it with great zeal, where people actively participate in various festivities, rituals, and cultural activities.
Subh Muhurat for Teej
The Subh Muhurat, or auspicious timing, is paramount during Teej as it is believed to enhance the rituals’ positive energy and spiritual benefits. In 2023, the Subh Muhurat for Kajari Teej is as follows:
- Teej Puja Muhurat: The Tritiya Tithi will begin at 11:50 p.m. on September 1 and end at 8:49 p.m. on September 2.
Devotees can perform the puja and rituals during these Subh Muhurats to ensure a prosperous and blissful life.
Puja Rituals on Kajari Teej
Various puja rituals and customs infuse Teej with a sense of spirituality and devotion, enriching the festival’s significance. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the customary puja rituals:
- Preparation: A day before Teej, women clean their houses thoroughly and decorate the puja area with flowers, rangoli (colorful patterns drawn on the ground) and other traditional decorations.
- Fasting: Married and unmarried women observe a fast on Kajari Teej, refraining from consuming food and water. The fast concludes after offering evening prayers to the moon.
- Teej Idol or Image: A small idol or image of Goddess Parvati is placed in the puja area. Some women also create an image of the goddess using turmeric or clay.
- Abhishek: Devotees bathe the idol of Goddess Parvati with holy water, milk, curd, honey, and other auspicious substances, symbolizing they purify the mind, body, and soul.
- Offerings: Women offer the goddess fruits, sweets, and traditional dishes as a gesture of devotion. They also offer sindoor (vermilion), mehndi (henna), bangles, and other accessories symbolic of marital bliss.
- Singing and Dancing: Women indulge in traditional songs and dance during the puja, adding a festive and joyous element to the celebrations.
- Moon Worship: After sunset, women break their fast by offering water to the moon and seeking blessings for the well-being of their husbands. They look at the moon through a sieve, which is believed to bring good luck.
- Feasting: After the moon worship, families come together to enjoy a sumptuous feast that includes various delicacies and traditional dishes.
- Swings: Women, especially in rural areas, enjoy swinging on beautifully decorated swings, singing folk songs, and immersing themselves in the festive spirit.
Conclusion
Kajari Teej is a celebration of love, devotion, and tradition. This is when women express their love and commitment towards their husbands. They seek blessings for their marital happiness and celebrate the monsoon season. Mark your calendars as Kajari Teej 2023 draws closer. Prepare your worship area, and immerse yourself in the rituals and festivities to experience the spiritual and cultural richness of this beautiful festival.
