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| Jivitputrika Festivals |
- Observed by: Hindus
- Type: Religious festival
- Begins: seventh moon day of 1st half of Ashwin
- Ends: ninth moon day of 1st half of Ashwin
- Date: September
- Frequency: Annual
Jivitputrika (also called Jitiya) is a three-day-long Hindu festival which is celebrated from the seventh to ninth lunar day of Krishna-Paksha in Ashwin month. It is celebrated mainly in Maithili, Magadhi and Bhojpuri speaking regions of Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal. In it mothers observe fasting for wellbeing of their children.
Rituals
It is a three day long festival.
- Nahai-Khai: The first day is Nahai-Khai, where mothers eat food only after taking bath. The food has to be vegetarian, prepared with ghee and pink salt.
- Khur-Jitiya or Jiviputrika day: This is the second day and mothers observe strict fasting without drinking water.
- Parana: This is the third day when mothers break fasting. Variety of delicacies are prepared such as Curry Rice, Noni(portulaca oleracea) saag and Madua Roti.
Legend
According to a story, Jimutvanhan was king of Gandharvas. He gave up his kingdom to his brothers and went to the forest to serve his father. There he saw an old woman mourning. She told him that she belongs to Nagvanshaki(family of snakes). Due to an oath she has to offer her only son to Garuda tomorrow to feed. Jimutvanhan promised to protect her only son. The next day he lay on a bed of rocks and offered himself to Garuda. Garuda came and attacked Jimutvanhan with his claws. Jimutvanhan stayed calm and then Garuda stopped attacking. Garuda inquired about his identity and then Jimutvanhan narrated the entire story. Impressed by his kindness and benevolence, Garuda promised that he will not take any sacrifices from Nagvanshakis. To cherish this legend mothers keep fast for the wellbeing of their children.
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