It's the time of the year for taking turns on swings, singing Kajari songs, getting dressed as a newlywed bride, and eating Sattu. Yes! The celebration of the spirit of womanhood, Kajari Teej, is just around the corner. A monsoon festival for women mainly celebrated in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, Kajari Tej has got various names, including "Badi Teej," "Kajali Teej," and "Satudi Teej."
The festival of Teej isn't limited to Kajari Teej. There are varied Teej festivals celebrated across India, including Hariyali Teej and Hartalika Teej. With the festival coming, questions like what is Kajari Teej, why Teej is celebrated, which color should I wear on Kajari Teej, and what is the legend behind Kajari Teej (Kajari Teej ki Kahani) are all over the internet. And here we will be answering them each.
What Is Kajari Teej?
Kajari Teej, Kajali Tej, or Badi Teej is a popular Teej festival celebrated throughout India as a monsoon festival for women. The festival is celebrated by unmarried and married women and is often called the festival of women. Celebrated during the lunar month, Bhadrapada, Kajari Teej is marked on the 3rd day of the Krishna Paksha or dark fortnight. Basically, Kajari Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated by women and enjoys great historical significance.
Why Is Kajari Teej Celebrated?
Kajari Teej, like any other Teej, is associated with the holy bond of marriage. During the Teej festival, married women fast for their husband's longevity and to gain conjugal bliss. At the same time, unmarried women fast to fulfill their desire for a suitable life partner. During the fast, women listen to the Kajari Teej ki Kahani and strictly adhere to all the rituals because of Kajari Teej importance.
The Legends Behind Kajari Teej (Kajari Teej Ki Kahani)
The folklore of Kajari Teej, a monsoon festival for women, starts from a thick forest located somewhere in Central India known as Kajali. The forest was ruled by King Dadurai, and the people there used to sing local songs called Kajali. Kajali songs were praising songs that talked about the beauty of the town and how magnificent it is. However, with the demise of King Dadurai and his wife Queen Nagamati getting Sati, things changed. With the unforgettable term of events, the saddened people of the kingdom improvised the Raga Kajari with songs based on separation and the longing for a lover. Until today, these songs are sung by married women on Kajari Teej as they are separated from their beloveds and are celebrating the festival at their parents' home.
The other mythological story that talks about Kajari Teej Importance include goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. It is believed that Parvati prayed for 108 years to be accepted as Shiva's wife. And when the lord became happy with her rigorous penance, he accepted their divine union. The union between Parvati and Shiva happened during the Krishna Paksha of the Bhadrapada month, which was later celebrated as Kajari Teej.
How To Celebrate Kajari Teej?
Kajari or Kajali Teej, a monsoon festival for women, is celebrated differently in different regions of the country. It means the Kajali Teej Celebration in Rajasthan doesn't completely match the Kajali Teej celebration in Haryana. The festival starts with receiving trendy Teej outfits, jewelry, bangles, Mehndi, and all other items related to Suhaag as "Sindhara." The "Sindhara" is a set of gift items married daughters receive from their parents.
Kajari Teej can be referred to as a celebration of the spirit of womanhood as the festival is fairly associated and celebrated by them. Women take turns on swings hung on trees and spend their day singing folk songs of longing and separation. In Bundi, Rajasthan, a fair is hosted, attracting thousands of tourists from around the globe to the town during Kajari Teej.
On Kajari Teej, women meticulously follow the occasion's Vraat Vidhi (fasting method). The Vidhi starts with women getting up early in the morning, followed by taking a bath, putting on new clothes, and doing Teej Singar. Women then take a Sankalp (promise) to spend the day fasting until it comes the evening. During the evening, women offer their prayers or listen to the story of Kajari Teej (Kajari Teej Vrat Katha) and then break off their fast. Also, many women choose to keep a Nirjala Vrat (fasting without water) which means they abstain from drinking water throughout the day. However, it is entirely optional. Goddess Parvati is the main deity; however, devotees worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Teej Mata) on this day.
What Is Teej Sringar?
On Teej, women dress up in their favorite attires to look like a newlywed bride. Teej Sringar constitutes of the essential things women use to dress up for the day and look their best, and it includes:
Clothes
On Kajari Teej, women wear bright colors, including green and red, as the colors symbolize auspiciousness. Usually, women receive ethnic dresses as gifts from their mother and mother-in-law for the occasion. Married women prefer to wear dresses with heavy embroidery and luxe fabrics, while unmarried girls choose to wear outfits with light embroidery or handwork.
Jewelry
Teej is a monsoon festival for women on which they make a fine jewelry selection that matches their attires to look pleasant during the celebrations. The jewelry worn at the festival isn't restricted to a single metal; women opt for diamonds, gold, silver, and even artificial jewelry pieces.
Bangles
Bangles have a significant role in Teej Sringar and are always in trend. During the festival, women prefer green bangles but aren't restricted to them only. Often, women can be seen wearing multicolor bangle sets that match their dress colors during the festival of women, Kajari Teej.
Mehndi
Heena or Mehndi enjoys a great significance on Kajari Teej. Women wear Mehndi on their palms and legs to prepare for the festivity. Some women choose to wear Alta on their feet and hand instead of Heena as well.
Styling Choices For Kajari Teej
Finding the right outfit for Kajari Teej celebrations can give you a tough time, especially when you have so many duties to perform. Thus, we have handpicked some of the best Teej outfits online so you can look just the way your desire this Teej, a monsoon festival for women.
The Vibrant Zari
Showcasing expert Zari detailing finely done over the bed of Chanderi Silk fabric, the three-piece suit set attracts the spotlight through its finesse. The ensemble is an ideal Teej Outfit and Teej gifting idea for the daughter and daughter-in-law as it is set in green color and green color has significant importance during the Teej festival.
The Noble Tale
Showcasing the finesse of handwork done through seasoned hands, this purple regalia is a perfect choice to celebrate Teej, a monsoon festival for women. The three-piece suit set shows an expert amalgamation of Chanderi silk and Organza fabrics and is an ideal choice for women who want to look different yet traditional during the celebrations.
The Pious Pink
Set in the personal favorite color of almost every woman, hot pink, this three-piece suit set is all set to make you look pious this Kajari Teej. Featuring hand embroidered golden details, the outfit breaks its monochrome tone with a cream scalloped dupatta. Shop the look to stay in the spotlight during the festivities.
The Earthy Edit
A monsoon festival for women, the Kajari Teej celebration requires something unique yet traditional that sets you apart from the crowd. The brown set is made ideally to do the job, while the embroidery makes you look elegant. The palazzo ensures you enjoy a breezy and fluid feel throughout the festivity.
The Trousseau Essential
No color is better than red to wear and look like a newlywed bride; thus, we have handpicked this three-piece red ensemble for you. The suit set is made with the finest Chanderi silk fabric and showcases finesse and elegance. Complete the look with the scalloped red dupatta embedded with golden threadwork detailing.
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