Kajari Teej, Sankashti Chaturthi on August 31: Dates, Timings and Rituals

Kajari Teej and Sankashti Chaturthi, two significant Hindu observances, will be marked on Monday, August 31, 2026. Although both festivals fall on the same date this year, they have different religious significance, fasting traditions and worship practices.

Kajari Teej is primarily associated with Goddess Parvati and is traditionally observed by women for marital happiness and family well-being. Sankashti Chaturthi is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is observed during Krishna Paksha Chaturthi, with devotees traditionally concluding the fast after evening prayers and Moon sighting.

Kajari Teej On August 31

Kajari Teej will be observed on Monday, August 31. It is also known as Kajali Teej or Badi Teej in different regions and is particularly celebrated across parts of North and Central India.

According to the Ujjain timings provided, the Tritiya Tithi will begin at 9:37 AM on August 30 and end at 8:51 AM on August 31.

The festival is associated with the worship of Goddess Parvati. Married women traditionally observe the vrat seeking marital harmony and the well-being of their families. In some regions, unmarried women also observe the fast as part of local customs.

Kajari Teej Vrat Rituals

Festive preparations for Kajari Teej include traditional attire, mehendi, bangles and other adornments. Women may gather for puja, listen to the Kajari Teej vrat katha and participate in community celebrations.

Neem tree worship is also associated with Kajari Teej in certain regions. Swings, folk songs and women's gatherings are common features of the festival, while Kajli songs remain an important cultural tradition in several parts of North India.

Fasting rules vary among communities. Some devotees observe a strict fast, while others follow regional practices concerning permitted food and water.

Sankashti Chaturthi Date

Sankashti Chaturthi will also be observed on August 31, 2026. The Chaturthi Tithi is scheduled to begin at 8:51 AM on August 31 and end at 7:42 AM on September 1, according to the Ujjain timings provided.

The monthly observance is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and takes place during Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the Moon. Devotees traditionally observe the vrat with the belief that Lord Ganesha helps remove obstacles and brings prosperity and auspiciousness.

Evening Ganesh Puja

Sankashti Chaturthi worship is generally performed in the evening. Devotees worship Lord Ganesha with flowers, Durva grass and traditional offerings. Modak is among the commonly offered naivedya items.

Fasting food may include fruits, potatoes, peanuts, sabudana preparations and other ingredients permitted under individual vrat traditions.

Devotees may also recite Ganesha stotras and mantras during the observance. The fast is traditionally completed after the evening puja and Moon sighting, although specific practices can vary by family and region.

August 31 Key Timings

For Ujjain, the timings provided for August 31 are:

These timings are location-specific. Sunrise, sunset and Moonrise can differ from one city to another. Devotees should therefore consult the local panchang before determining the exact puja or fast-breaking time.

Different Religious Significance

Despite sharing the same date in 2026, Kajari Teej and Sankashti Chaturthi represent different religious traditions.

Kajari Teej is linked primarily with Goddess Parvati, marital well-being and women's devotional and cultural celebrations. Sankashti Chaturthi centres on Lord Ganesha and is associated with prayers for overcoming obstacles.

Fasting procedures, permitted foods and puja customs can differ according to regional traditions and family practices. Devotees generally follow the guidance of their local panchang and established family customs.

What Devotees Should Know

The coincidence of Kajari Teej and Sankashti Chaturthi on August 31 makes the date significant for devotees observing either festival. However, the two vrats should not be treated as identical, as their deities, rituals and traditional observances are different.

For devotees in Ujjain, the provided panchang timings place Kajari Teej's Tritiya Tithi ending at 8:51 AM on August 31, followed immediately by the beginning of Chaturthi Tithi. The Sankashti observance continues until the following morning.