Kajari Teej or Badi Teej is a special festival. It is celebrated throughout the Northern and Western parts of India. The celebrations are conducted with much fanfare throughout the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Kajari Teej is celebrated during the Shravana month.
Significance of Kajari Teej
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- Worship of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva: Kajari Teej is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Married women observe fasts and perform rituals to seek blessings for a happy and prosperous married life.
- Spiritual Devotion: The festival emphasizes devotion and spiritual discipline. Fasting and prayers are seen as ways to purify the mind and body and to strengthen one's faith.
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Cultural Significance:
- Preservation of Traditions: Kajari Teej is an important cultural event that helps preserve traditional customs, rituals, and folk arts. The singing of Kajari songs, wearing traditional attire, and applying henna are cultural practices that have been passed down through generations.
- Expression of Joy: The festival is marked by joy and celebration. Women gather to sing, dance, and celebrate, fostering a sense of community and shared cultural heritage.
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Social Significance:
- Strengthening Social Bonds: Kajari Teej provides an opportunity for women to come together and bond. It strengthens social ties and creates a sense of solidarity among women in the community.
- Empowerment of Women: The festival highlights the role and significance of women in society. It celebrates their devotion, resilience, and strength, promoting a sense of empowerment.
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Symbolic Significance:
- Fertility and Prosperity: Kajari Teej is often associated with fertility and prosperity. The rituals and prayers performed are believed to ensure the well-being of the family and the prosperity of the household.
- Monsoon Celebration: The festival coincides with the monsoon season, a time of renewal and growth. The lush greenery and blooming flowers symbolize the rejuvenation of life and nature, adding to the festive spirit.
Grand Celebrations on Kajari Teej
The festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm throughout Rajasthan particularly in the city of Bundi. The city is specially decorated for the day. The idol of Goddess Parvati is taken in a procession throughout Bundi. The palanquin carrying the image of Goddess Parvati is accompanied by numerous camels, elephants, musicians and folk dancers. This adds a unique blend to the festivities and makes the occasion special for devotees. The celebrations hold special significance for women in Rajasthan and preparations begin days ahead for the festivities.
Young girls perform dances like Kalbeliya, Bhavia and Ghoomar on the occasion of Kajari Teej. The festival holds a special significance for married women. Women pray for the safety of their husbands on this day. They sing, dance and stay awake all night to add a distinct touch to the festival. A lamp is specially lit and it is ensured that the flame does not diminish throughout the night. Legends associated with Kajari Teej are also shared by the womenfolk among themselves during celebrations.
The celebrations are unique and married women dress especially for the day. The married women apply mehndi on this day and dress up like a newly wedded girl.
Kajari Teej is celebrated with various traditional customs and activities, each adding to the vibrant and joyful atmosphere of the festival. Here’s how the celebrations typically unfold:
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Fasting and Prayers:
- Nirjala Vrat: Many married women observe a strict fast known as Nirjala Vrat, where they abstain from food and water for the entire day. This fast is kept for the well-being and longevity of their husbands.
- Puja and Rituals: Women perform special prayers and rituals dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. They create small altars at home or visit temples to offer fruits, sweets, and flowers.
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Traditional Attire and Henna:
- Dressing Up: Women dress in their finest traditional attire, usually sarees or lehengas in bright colors. They also wear jewelry to complement their outfits.
- Mehendi: Applying henna (mehendi) on hands and feet is an important part of the celebrations. Intricate designs are drawn, symbolizing good fortune and auspiciousness.
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Songs and Dance:
- Kajari Songs: Singing Kajari songs is a hallmark of the festival. These folk songs, which often speak of love, devotion, and longing, are sung in groups, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
- Folk Dances: Women also perform traditional folk dances, which vary by region. These dances are an expression of joy and communal harmony.
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Decorated Swings:
- Jhulas (Swings): In many places, swings are decorated with flowers and set up in courtyards or gardens. Women take turns swinging on them, which symbolizes joy and the playful spirit of the festival.
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Community Gatherings:
- Social Interaction: Kajari Teej is an occasion for women to gather and interact. These gatherings strengthen social bonds and provide a sense of community.
- Sharing Sweets and Gifts: It is common for women to exchange sweets and gifts, further enhancing the spirit of camaraderie and goodwill.
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Monsoon Celebration:
- Seasonal Delight: The festival takes place during the monsoon season, and the lush greenery and fresh blooms add to the celebratory mood. The natural beauty of the season is often reflected in the songs and decorations.
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Regional Variations:
- Different Customs: While the core rituals remain the same, different regions have unique ways of celebrating Kajari Teej. For example, in some parts of Rajasthan, there might be elaborate processions, while in Uttar Pradesh, the emphasis might be more on singing and dancing.
Food on Kajari Teej
Food plays a significant role in the celebration of Kajari Teej, adding to the festive spirit and providing a chance to indulge in traditional delicacies. While the fasting women abstain from eating throughout the day, the evening and post-fasting meals are marked by a variety of special dishes. Here are some traditional foods commonly prepared for Kajari Teej:
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Ghewar:
- Description: Ghewar is a popular Rajasthani sweet made from flour, sugar syrup, and ghee. It is often flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts.
- Significance: This sweet is a traditional offering and a must-have during Teej festivals.
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Kheer:
- Description: Kheer is a rice pudding made with milk, sugar, and rice, flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts like almonds and pistachios.
- Significance: It is a common festive dessert, symbolizing prosperity and happiness.
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Dal Baati Churma:
- Description: A traditional Rajasthani dish consisting of baked wheat balls (baati) served with lentil curry (dal) and a sweet crumbled wheat mixture (churma).
- Significance: This hearty meal is often prepared for special occasions and festivals, including Teej.
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Malpua:
- Description: Malpua are deep-fried pancakes soaked in sugar syrup, often flavored with fennel seeds and cardamom.
- Significance: These are prepared as festive treats and are popular during Teej.
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Puris and Aloo Sabzi:
- Description: Puris are deep-fried bread made from wheat flour, often served with a spicy potato curry (aloo sabzi).
- Significance: This combination is a festive staple and is enjoyed during the Teej celebrations.
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Seviyan (Vermicelli):
- Description: Seviyan is a sweet dish made from vermicelli cooked in milk and sugar, flavored with cardamom and garnished with dry fruits.
- Significance: It is a common dessert during Indian festivals and is enjoyed by families during Teej.
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Panchmel Dal:
- Description: A mixed lentil curry made from five different types of lentils, flavored with spices and ghee.
- Significance: This nutritious and flavorful dish is often part of festive meals.
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Fruits and Sweets Platter:
- Description: A platter of assorted fruits and traditional Indian sweets like laddus, barfis, and pedas.
- Significance: These are offered to deities during the puja and later shared among family and friends.
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Thekua:
- Description: A sweet biscuit-like treat made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, often flavored with cardamom.
- Significance: It is a traditional sweet from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, prepared during various festivals including Teej.
कजरी तीज के बारे में हिंदी में पढ़ें, क्लिक करें