Saath Catalogue

Kajari Teej

Published 2026-09-04 · region: pan-Hindu · Saath Catalogue

Calendar timing

Aug (Lunar (Bhadrapada Krishna))

  • 2026 · 2026-08-30 (scholar-2026-06-23)

Stories & history

The dark TeejRajasthani/Marwari · Hindi Belt

Kajari Teej falls a fortnight after Hariyali Teej, on the third day of the dark fortnight that follows Shravana's full moon. The two are close enough to be confused constantly and are not the same day: this one is the darker of the pair in every sense — a stricter fast in most households, and songs about separation rather than swings.

KajriHindi Belt

The festival takes its name from Kajri, the monsoon song form of eastern UP and Bihar, sung by women in the rains and almost always about someone who has not come back. The songs are older and wider than the festival and are sung through the season, but this is the day they belong to, and where the tradition is strong the singing runs late.

Symbolism & meaning

Core symbolism
The dark-fortnight Teej of the monsoon — a stricter fast than its bright-fortnight counterpart, and Kajri sung through the evening.
Meaning
The third day of the dark fortnight following Shravana's full moon, a fortnight after Hariyali Teej. A fast is kept, in many households without water, and it is broken after the evening observance — in some traditions only once the moon has been seen. Neem is honoured in several regions, sattu preparations are made and given, and the day's character comes from the singing: Kajri, the monsoon song of eastern UP and Bihar, which is where the festival's name comes from. It is kept across Rajasthan, western and eastern UP and parts of Bihar, and hardly at all outside them.

Procedure

  1. Sankalpa and the fast. The intention is stated and the fast is begun, kept in many households without water.
  2. Neem honoured. In several regions a neem branch or tree is worshipped, with a lamp lit and offerings made at its foot.
  3. Puja. Parvati and Shiva are worshipped, and the narrative of the day is read or heard.
  4. Kajri sung. The women of the household and the neighbourhood gather to sing Kajri, which is what the festival is named for.
  5. Breaking the fast. The fast is broken after the evening observance — in some traditions only once the moon has been sighted.

Materials needed

  • A neem branch, where the tree is honoured
  • Sattu, and the preparations made from it for the day
  • Images of Parvati and Shiva, or the clay figures made for the occasion
  • Flowers, fruit and a lamp
  • Bangles and the clothing worn for the day

Family participation

  • Keeps the fast and performs the puja — Married women of the household
  • Gather to sing Kajri — Women of the neighbourhood

From the Saath Catalogue — occasions documented for families, with regional tradition attribution.