Kajli Teej Festival

Kajli Teej Festival is unique to the city of Bundi. A dazzlingly theatrical and lively event, it is held every year in the month of Bhadra (July-August). This week-long celebration filled with gaiety and fanfare pays homage to Goddess Uma by the seekers of marital bliss and love. Women wear colourful traditional costumes, new sets of bangles and decorate their hands with beautiful henna designs. A local fair is held nearby which is extremely popular with the rural folk around Bundi. Handicrafts such as traditional kataar, paintings, bangles, rural handicrafts and fancy eatables attract many people from Rajasthan, other parts of India and foreign shores.

History
As per the Hindu calendar, Kajli Teej is celebrated on the third day of the fifth Hindu Month 'Saawan/Shravan'. On this day Lord Krishna is honored by the women by singing prayers and devotional songs and performing the scared ritual of 'Neem Puja'.
Kajli Teej celebrations in Bundi, Rajasthan is the most popular one. In Bundi, it is celebrated on the third day of the Hindu month 'Bhadra'. This day is completely dedicated to the Goddess Teej. Although Kajli Teej takes place for two days, its celebrations are generally extended till Janmashtami (Lord Krishna's birth anniversary). This festival is extremely significant for the married couples as they seek the blessings of the almighty for their happy married life and to replenish their ties.
This celebration is of great cultural significance which offers a deep insight of the colorful tradition of the state to the tourists. In Bundi, the Kajli Teej is celebrated in a unique manner and is popular across India.

Celebration
The Kajli Teej festivities begin with a ceremonial procession wherein the goddess is carried in a beautifully decorated palanquin. One can enjoy the procession since it moves from the picturesque site of Naval Sagar. Females are seen dressed up in new traditional attires. They put traditional henna designs on hand and wear colorful bangles which make the whole celebration appear even more vibrant. Swings are laid down in the gardens and fairs are held where women folk sing traditional songs while swinging. Women and girls perform the sacred ritual of the 'neem puja' by gathering around the holy neem tree.

Enthusiasm and joy is clearly visible on the faces of the people. The procession is headed with decorated elephants, camels and later musicians, folk dancers other artists are seen performing their best for the entertainment of people. The procession moves forward, passing by the main bazaars and terminates at the Azad Park. Cultural programs are one of the major parts of the celebrations. Local artists from Hadoti are seen performing here. People perform the rituals, enjoy the cultural programs, eat and enjoy this beautiful and colorful festival.

The fair has stalls of handicrafts setup by the locals of Bundi. The handicrafts seen here are the traditional kataar, paintings and bangles, rural handicraft, petty items, and fancy eatables. The very famous 'Algoza' (folk instrument) recital competition in this fair gives it a great melodious start. The fair venue is the 'Kumbh Stadium' which comes alive when the Kajli Teej fair is on.