Kajari Teej 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Married Women: Married women observe this fast for the long life, health, and happiness of their husbands and the harmony of their families (Akhand Saubhagya).
• Unmarried Girls: Unmarried girls also keep the vrat, praying for a good and devoted life partner (Yogya Var Prapti).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Sankalp: The vow is taken in the early hours, in Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn period), and the fast is kept through the day.
• Puja Muhurat: The main puja of Neemadi Mata is done in the evening, after sunset; check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Moon Sighting (Chandra Darshan): Look at the Moon and offer Arghya only after it has risen in your city; moonrise differs from city to city, so check the moonrise time for your city on this page.
• Breaking the Fast: Once the Arghya to the Moon is offered, with Sattu as the first food.

About the Festival

Kajari Teej is a much-loved North Indian observance in which women fast and worship Neemadi Mata and the Moon for the wellbeing of their families. It takes place on the Tritiya (third day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.

The Vrat Katha (Story of the Poor Brahmin and the Sattu)

Once upon a time, in a small town, there lived a poor Brahmin and his wife. When the day of Kajari Teej arrived, the wife decided to keep the fast, and she asked her husband to bring Sattu so that she could break her fast in the evening.

The Brahmin had no money, so he went to the shop of a moneylender in the middle of the night. He quietly made Sattu from gram, ghee, and sugar, to the quantity his wife needed. The noise woke the shopkeeper, who caught him and asked what he was doing.

The Brahmin explained honestly: "I have no money, yet my wife is fasting today and needs Sattu to break her fast. I came only for that." The shopkeeper was moved by his honesty, called the Brahmin's wife his sister, and sent him home with the Sattu, along with gifts and clothes for her.

That night the wife worshipped the Moon, offered Arghya, and broke her fast with the Sattu. Pleased with her devotion, Neemadi Mata blessed the couple with happiness and prosperity. Since that day, women have observed the Kajari Teej fast for the long life and wellbeing of their families.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the evening puja:

• Image / Mud Pond: A small mud and cow dung pond (Talaab) with a neem branch, or an image of Neemadi Mata
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Akshat (unbroken rice grains), and Mehendi
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick
• Sacred Water Container: A small vessel filled with fresh water, a little milk, and a silver coin for Arghya
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Sattu (roasted gram flour), ghee, jaggery, and sweets
• Devotional Accessories: Neem leaves, flowers, Kalava, and a Chowki

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes (preferably green, red, or yellow; avoid wearing black).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Divine Mother Neemadi, today I observe this fast for the long life, health, and happiness of my family. Grant me the strength to complete this vow with pure devotion."
3. Observe the fast throughout the day, traditionally until the Moon is sighted in the evening.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Late Afternoon)

1. Clean the puja space and place a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean cloth.
2. Make a small pond on the Chowki with mud, and plant a neem branch beside it.
3. Pour a little milk and water into the pond and place a lit Diya beside it.

Step 3: Performing the Evening Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and place it in front of Neemadi Mata.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat to the neem branch and the pond.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh flowers and tie a piece of Kalava around the neem branch.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place Sattu, jaggery, and sweets before the deity.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Kajari Teej Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, offer the grains and petals at the foot of the neem branch.

Step 5: Aarti and Arghya (Moon Sighting)

1. Perform the Neemadi Mata Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Once the Moon rises, step outside with the water vessel and look at it.
3. Offer Arghya (pouring water slowly onto the ground while looking at the Moon), praying for the longevity and happiness of your family.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the sweet prasad among your family members.
3. Break your fast with Sattu, followed by a simple sattvic meal.