The Hindu calendar will witness two important observances on Monday, August 31, 2026 — Kajari Teej and Sankashti Chaturthi. Both festivals involve fasting, prayers and traditional rituals, although they are dedicated to different religious traditions.

According to the Ujjain-based timings, the Kajari Teej Tritiya Tithi begins at 9:37 AM on August 30 and ends at 8:51 AM on August 31. The Sankashti Chaturthi Tithi begins immediately afterwards at 8:51 AM on August 31 and ends at 7:42 AM on September 1. These timings are consistent with the supplied Prokerala Panchang data.

Kajari Teej Falls August 31

Kajari Teej, also known as Badi Teej, Kajali Teej and Satudi Teej, is observed on the Tritiya of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada according to the North Indian calendar. It is one of the three major Teej festivals, alongside Hariyali Teej and Hartalika Teej.

In 2026, Kajari Teej will be observed on Monday, August 31. The Ujjain Panchang lists sunrise at 6:12 AM and sunset at 6:41 PM on the festival day.

The festival is especially associated with women. Married women traditionally observe the Kajari Teej Vrat and pray for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. Unmarried women may also participate in the observance as part of traditional practices associated with marriage.

Kajari Teej Vrat Rituals

Kajari Teej celebrations generally begin with an early morning bath followed by prayers and preparations for the day's rituals. Women may wear traditional clothes and adorn themselves with mehendi, bangles, bindi, jewellery and other shringar items.

In some regions, worship of the neem tree is an important part of the observance. Women may offer kumkum, rice, turmeric, mehendi, fruits and sweets before reciting the Kajari Teej Katha.

Fasting practices vary between communities. Some devotees observe a strict fast, while others follow a more flexible regional practice. The method of beginning and ending the vrat should be followed according to family tradition and the local Panchang.

Kajari Songs And Celebrations

Kajari Teej is also an important cultural festival, particularly across parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Women traditionally gather to sing Kajari folk songs and participate in community celebrations.

Swings are another familiar feature of Teej celebrations in many communities. Traditional foods such as kheer, puri, gujiya, ghevar, kaju katli and sattu are prepared in several regions.

Bundi in Rajasthan is particularly known for its Kajari Teej celebrations, including a traditional procession associated with the festival.

Sankashti Chaturthi August 31

Sankashti Chaturthi is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is observed on the Chaturthi, or fourth lunar day, of Krishna Paksha each month. The August 2026 observance falls on Monday, August 31.

According to the Ujjain-based timings, the Chaturthi Tithi starts at 8:51 AM on August 31 and ends at 7:42 AM on September 1. The transition from Tritiya to Chaturthi occurs at 8:51 AM on August 31.

The term Sankashti is traditionally associated with overcoming difficulties. Devotees observe the vrat and worship Lord Ganesha while seeking blessings for the removal of obstacles, prosperity and well-being.

Ganesha Puja And Moon Sighting

Sankashti Chaturthi fasting generally begins after the morning purification rituals. Devotees may observe a strict fast or follow a simpler fasting practice depending on their tradition.

The main worship is traditionally performed in the evening. Ganesha is offered Durva grass, flowers, incense, lamps and sweets such as modak or ladoo. Devotees may also recite the Sankashti Vrat Katha and chant prayers dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

Moon sighting is an important part of the traditional observance. Devotees generally offer prayers to the Moon and conclude the fast after the prescribed evening rituals and moonrise.

August 31 Timings And Significance

For Ujjain, the supplied Panchang lists:

• Kajari Teej: August 31, 2026
• Tritiya Tithi: August 30, 9:37 AM to August 31, 8:51 AM
• Sankashti Chaturthi: August 31, 8:51 AM to September 1, 7:42 AM
• Sunrise: 6:12 AM
• Sunset: 6:41 PM
• Kajari Teej moonrise: 8:36 PM, according to the supplied reference

Kajari Teej centres on Goddess Parvati, women's traditional fasting and prayers for marital and family well-being. Sankashti Chaturthi focuses on Lord Ganesha and the traditional belief that sincere worship helps devotees overcome obstacles.

Check Local Panchang Timings

The two observances fall on the same civil date because the Tritiya Tithi ends at 8:51 AM on August 31, immediately followed by Chaturthi Tithi. This illustrates why Hindu festival dates are determined through tithi calculations rather than simply by the Gregorian calendar.

The timings above are specifically based on Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Tithi timings, sunrise, sunset and moonrise can differ across cities. Devotees should therefore consult a location-specific Panchang before performing time-sensitive rituals or concluding a fast.

For devotees, the Sankashti Chaturthi is not merely a ritual but a monthly spiritual reset. Falling on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waning moon phase (Krishna Paksha), it is a day dedicated to fasting, prayer, and seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha to overcome life's challenges. The specific observance in the Hindu month of Phalguna is also known as Dwijapriya Sankashti Chaturthi.

Key Timings for Observance

The success of the vrat (fast) hinges on observing the correct timings. For the February 2026 observance, the sacred window is as follows:

Chaturthi Tithi Begins: February 5, 2026, at 12:09 AM

Chaturthi Tithi Ends: February 6, 2026, at 12:22 AM

Recommended Puja Muhurta: February 5, during Brahma Muhurta (5:22 AM - 6:15 AM) or Abhijit Muhurta (12:13 PM - 12:57 PM)

Moonrise (for breaking the fast): Expected around 9:39 PM on February 5.

The fast is traditionally observed from sunrise until moonrise, with the fast broken only after sighting the moon and offering prayers.

A Guide to Rituals and Observances

The day is marked by discipline and devotion. Here is a step-by-step guide to the core rituals:

| Ritual Step | Key Actions & Significance |

| Morning Start | Take a purifying bath and wear clean, preferably red or yellow, clothes. Declare your intention (Sankalpa) to observe the fast. |

| Fasting Rules | Observe a strict or partial fast (vrat). Abstain from regular grains and meals. Permitted foods include fruits, potatoes, peanuts, and sabudana khichadi. Crucially, avoid tamasic foods like meat, garlic, and onions, and abstain from anger and false speech. |

| Evening Puja | After moonrise, perform the main puja. Bathe a Ganesha idol, adorn it with durva grass and flowers, and light a lamp. Offer modaks or laddoos, chant Ganesha mantras like "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah," and recite the monthly Vrat Katha. |

| Moon Sighting & Arghya | The fast concludes only after sighting the moon. Offer arghya (water, milk, and flowers) to the moon, a vital step considered incomplete without it. Break your fast by consuming the offered prasad. |

The Modern Significance: More Than Ritual

In today's fast-paced world, the relevance of Sankashti Chaturthi extends beyond tradition. Spiritual experts note that the practice aligns with contemporary pursuits of mindfulness and mental well-being. The discipline of fasting cultivates self-control, while the prayers offer a focused respite from daily stress.

"Angarki Chaturthi (when Sankashti falls on a Tuesday) blends Mars' dynamic energy with Ganesha's wisdom, ideal for manifesting breakthroughs," notes Vedic astrologer Dr. Priya Sharma, highlighting how these observances are seen as aligning personal effort with cosmic support.

For many, especially in regions like Maharashtra where the festival is observed with great fervor, it is a cornerstone of cultural identity and family tradition.

The upcoming Sankashti Chaturthi on February 5 offers a timely opportunity for spiritual renewal. By following the prescribed rituals with sincerity, devotees seek not only divine blessings but also the inner strength to navigate modern life's complexities, reinforcing the timeless appeal of this monthly observance.