Hindu

Kajari Teej 2027 कजरी तीज

Monsoon Fast for the Husband's Long Life

Friday, 20 August 2027

Kajari Teej is a monsoon fast in which married women pray for their husbands' long life, worship Neemdi Mata and sing kajari folk songs, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

How the date is fixed: Bhadrapada Krishna Tritiya in the purnimanta calendar, about 15 days after Hariyali Teej and a few days before Hartalika Teej.

Why Kajari Teej is celebrated

Kajari Teej is the second of the three Teej festivals of the monsoon. It comes after Hariyali Teej and before Hartalika Teej. Married women keep a fast for the long life and good health of their husbands. Unmarried girls also fast in the hope of a good life partner. Like the other Teej festivals, it honours the bond of Shiva and Parvati. The name comes from kajari, the rain songs that women sing during this season.

History and story of Kajari Teej

The festival is rooted in the farming life of the Ganga plains and central India. Kajari songs of the Mirzapur and Varanasi region describe dark rain clouds and the pain of separation from loved ones who are away. Over time these songs became part of classical and semi classical music too. The fast and the worship of the neem tree grew as women's customs, passed from mother to daughter.

How Kajari Teej is celebrated

Women dress in their best clothes and jewellery. In the evening they worship Neemdi Mata, a goddess linked with the neem tree. A small pond like shape is made with earth, and a neem branch is placed beside it. Women offer kumkum, mehendi, rice, fruits and sweets, and hear the vrat katha. Many fast without water all day. They break the fast at night after seeing the moon and offering it water. Sweets made from sattu, roasted gram flour, are an important part of the meal, which is why the day is also called Satudi Teej.

Important days and moments

Nirjala fast (Through the day)
Married women fast, often without water, praying for their husbands' long life and family happiness.
Neemdi Mata puja (Evening)
Women worship Neemdi Mata with a neem branch, offerings and the vrat katha.
Moon offering and sattu meal (Night, after moonrise)
Women offer water to the moon and break the fast with sattu sweets.

Kajari Teej across India

In Mirzapur, Varanasi and the Bundelkhand area, women gather to sing kajari songs and swing on jhoolas. In Rajasthan, Bundi hosts a well known Teej fair with a procession of the goddess, folk dance and music. Women in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar also keep the fast with local customs.

Other names and related festivals

Badi Teej
Kajli Teej
Satudi Teej

Hartalika Teej
Hariyali Teej 4 Aug 2027

Frequently asked questions

When is Kajari Teej in 2027?

Kajari Teej falls on Friday, 20 August 2027.

Is Kajari Teej a bank holiday?

The RBI bank holiday lists for 2027 are not out yet; they usually come out in December or January. Each state follows its own list, so check your state's bank holiday page then.

Is Kajari Teej a central government holiday?

No. Kajari Teej is not a holiday for central government offices in 2027.

What are the other names of Kajari Teej?

Kajari Teej is also known as Badi Teej, Kajli Teej, Satudi Teej.

Why is it called Satudi Teej?

Sweets and dishes made from sattu are central to the day. Women break the fast with them, which gives the festival this name.

How is Kajari Teej different from Hariyali Teej?

Hariyali Teej comes in Shravan and celebrates the green monsoon with swings and green clothes. Kajari Teej comes about 15 days later in Bhadrapada and centres on the fast, Neemdi Mata puja and kajari songs.