About Jitiya

About Jitiya

Jitiya, or Jivitputrika Vrat, is the fast that mothers keep for the long life, health and safety of their children. It falls on the eighth day of the dark half of Ashwin, in September or early October, in Bihar, Jharkhand, east Uttar Pradesh and the Terai of Nepal.

It is kept over three days. On Nahay Khay, the first day, mothers bathe and eat one pure meal. On the second day they keep a nirjala fast, with no food or water, and worship Jimutavahana. On the third day comes Paran, when the fast is broken.

The story tells of King Jimutavahana, who offered himself to Garuda to save a young serpent, and was blessed for his kindness. Mothers make a small image of him with kusha grass, hear the Jitiya story, and wear a red thread with a jitiya locket that carries the blessings for each child.

Paran brings simple, loving food: marua roti made of finger millet, noni saag, ridge gourd, rice and pakwan. Children touch their mother's feet, and the whole family thanks her for the love she puts into the day.