Teja Dashami (Rajasthan) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Perform This Puja?

• Devotees of Veer Teja Ji: Families who revere Veer Teja Ji, especially in rural Rajasthan, observe this day to seek his blessings and protection.
• Families Seeking Protection from Snakebite: Devotees pray to Teja Ji for the safety of their families, farm workers, and cattle from snakes and poisonous creatures (Sarp Raksha).
• Farmers and Cattle Owners: Those who live by the land and the herd seek good harvests and the wellbeing of their cows.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: The bath and the Sankalp (solemn vow) are done early, during Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hour), before the fast begins.
• Puja Muhurat: The puja of Teja Ji is done in the morning after sunrise, or at his shrine or Than (families differ on the time). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Evening Worship: Lamps are lit and devotional songs (Teja Ji ke Bhajan) are sung in the evening.

About the Festival

Teja Dashami is a deeply revered Rajasthani observance in honour of Veer Teja Ji, the folk deity who gave his life to protect cattle and keep his word. It takes place on the Dashami (tenth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.

The Katha (Story of Veer Teja Ji)

Long ago, in the village of Kharnal in Rajasthan, a brave and truthful man named Teja was born into a farming family. As a child he was married to Pemal, and he later grew up as a devoted protector of the village and its cows.

One day, when Teja went to his in-laws' village to bring his wife home, he learnt that robbers had taken away the cows of Lachha Gujri, a woman of that village. Teja promised to bring the herd back, and rode out to face the robbers.

On his way, he saw a snake in a blazing fire and tried to save it. The angry snake wanted to bite him, and Teja said: "Let me first fulfil my duty to the cows, and I will return to you as I promised." He fought the robbers and recovered the cattle, but his body was covered with wounds. True to his word, he returned to the snake, and since there was no unwounded part left on his body, the snake bit his tongue.

Moved by his truthfulness, the snake blessed him that anyone who remembers Teja Ji would be protected from snakebite. Since that day, devotees observe Teja Dashami to honour Veer Teja Ji and seek his protection.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Idol: Picture or small idol of Veer Teja Ji on his horse, with a snake
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Haldi, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Incense sticks
• Sacred Water Container: A small vessel filled with fresh water, and raw milk for the offering
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Churma, Dal-Baati, Halwa, or Gur (jaggery), and coconut
• Devotional Accessories: Flowers, coconut, and a sacred thread (Tanti / Kalava) to tie at the shrine

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 white, yellow, or red).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Veer Teja Ji, today I observe this day with pure devotion. Protect my family, my cattle, and my fields from all harm."
3. Observe the fast throughout the day, or take only simple sattvic food (families differ in how strictly the fast is kept).

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Morning)

1. Clean the northeastern corner (Ishan Kone) or the eastern wall of your room, or the shrine of Teja Ji in your village.
2. Place the picture or idol of Veer Teja Ji on a Chowki covered with a clean cloth.
3. Place a small vessel of water and raw milk near the picture, and keep the offerings ready within reach.

Step 3: Performing the Morning Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense in front of Veer Teja Ji.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat to the image of Teja Ji.
3. Offering Flowers & Coconut: Offer fresh flowers and a coconut, and tie a piece of Kalava (sacred thread) at the shrine.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place Churma, Halwa, or Gur before the deity.

Step 4: Reciting the 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 story of Veer Teja Ji with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, sprinkle the held grains near the feet of the deity.

Step 5: Aarti and Prayers (Evening)

1. Light a Ghee Diya and perform the Teja Ji Aarti while singing devotional hymns (Teja Ji ke Bhajan).
2. Offer a little raw milk near a snake's hole or at the shrine, with a prayer for the safety of your household (where this is the family custom).
3. Bow before Veer Teja Ji and pray for the protection of your family, cattle, and fields.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the Prasad among your family members and neighbours.
3. Close the day by partaking in the Prasad and a simple sattvic meal.