Badi Teej - Hindu Ladies in India eat after sighting the Moon

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Information

Badi Teej, or Kajli Teej, is observed in the Bhadrapad month and is an important observance in Rajasthan and other parts of North India. It is observed by married and unmarried women on the third day of the waning phase of moon in Bhadrapad month. Fasting on the Badi Teej is from sunrise to sighting of the moon. In 2009, the date of Badi Teej is August 9. The preparation and rituals begin on August 8, 2009

 

Married women fast on the day for the welfare of their husbands and for a peaceful and happy life. Unmarried women observe Badi Teej fasting for getting a good husband.

 

One day prior to Teej, there is the Sinjara or Singhara (mehendi ceremony) and women get gifts and they go on a shopping spree on the day.

 

On the Badi Teej day, women fast from morning to sighting of moon. The prayers are dedicated to the Neem tree, referred as Neem Mata. In some regions the prayers and fasting is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.

 

This is one among the three important Teej festivals in a year. Badi Teej is also known as Sathu Teej and Kajari Teej.

 

Badi Teej is an important festival in Bundi District in Rajasthan.

Some more information

Kajari Teej, or Kajri Teez, is observed by women on the third day after Shravan Poornima and it is second among the three Teej festivals – the other two being Hariyali and Hartalika Teej. It is mainly observed by married women and young girls and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Kajari Teej 2009 date is August 9. Kajri Teez is mainly celebrated in Bundi in Rajasthan and in some parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar.

 

Kajari Teej is dedicated to Lord Krishna and special pujas and prayers are also offered to the neem tree. On the day, women and girls wear colorful new clothes and dance and make merry. A community puja is performed around a neem tree. Specific rituals are performed by elderly women and young women learn the tradition and perform it.

 

Special swings are prepared for the day and women take turns in swinging while other women sing and dance. Songs sung on the day welcomes the monsoon rains and praise the love of Krishna and Radha.

 

Kajri Teej in Bundi in Rajasthan is noted for colorful processions. This Teej is also known as Badi Teej in Rajashtan.

Source : http://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/08/badi-teej-kajli-teej.html