Jivitputrika
| Jivitputrika | |
|---|---|
 Jivitputrika observation at riverbank of the Ganges, Kolkata | |
| Observed by | Hindus |
| Type | Hindu |
| Observances | Abstain food and water for a day and night. |
| Begins | seventh moon day of 1st half of Ashwin in Bikram Sambat |
| Ends | ninth moon day of 1st half of Ashwin in B.S |
| Date | September |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Children wellness |
Jivitputrika (Sanskrit: जीवित्पुत्रिका) (Hindi: जिउतिया , Jiutiya) (Nepali: जितिया , Jitiya) is a festival in which Nirjala (without water) fasting is done throughout a day and night observed by mothers for the wellbeing of their children. A three-day-long festival is celebrated from the seventh to ninth lunar day of Krishna-Paksha in Ashwin month of Bikram Sambat. It is celebrated mainly in the Nepalese states of Mithila and Tharuhat, parts of Nepal's Province No. 1, as well as the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand,WestBengal and Uttar Pradesh. Furthermore, it is widely observed by the Eastern Tharu and Far-Eastern Madhesi peoples. In 2016, it was observed on 7th Ashwin of Hindu Bikram Sambat calendar falling on September 23 of Gregorian Calendar.[1]
Description
A three-day long festival is celebrated from the seventh to the ninth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in Ashwin month of Hindu Bikram Sambat that falls generally in September. The first day, the day before Jivitputrika is known as Nahai-khai. On that day, mothers take food only after having their bath. On Jivitputrika day, a strict fast, called Khur Jitiya, is observed without water. On the third day, the fast ends with Paaran, taking the first food of the day. In Mithila , Tharuhat, the region of northeastern Bihar, and eastern Nepal, a variety of food and a special festival delicacy Jhor Bhaat (curry and white rice), Noni ka saag and Madua ki Roti are prepared. In the Bhojpuri region of western Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, Paaran is done with Noni ka saag (summer purslane), Maruwa ki roti, and a vegetable stew of zucchini. The festival is celebrated mainly in the Bhojpuri and Maithili speaking regions of Nepal and Bihar, Jharkhand and Eastern Uttar Pradesh of India.
Legends
Jivitputrika Vrat Story
It is believed that once, an eagle and a female fox lived in a Himalayan jungle near Narmada river were friends. Both of them saw some ladies performing the pooja and fasting, and wished to observe it themselves too. During their fast, the fox became unconscious because of hunger and secretly had food. On the other hand, the eagle observed the fast with full dedication and completed it. As a result, all children born to the fox perished a few days after birth and the eagle's offspring were blessed with long life.
Jimutavahana
According to this story Jimutavahana was the wise and king of the Gandharva. Jimutvanhan was not satisfied with ruling and as a result he gave all the responsibilities of his kingdom to his brothers and went to the jungle to serve his father. One day while wandering in the jungle, he finds an old woman mourning. He asked the old woman the reason of weeping, upon which she told him that she belonged to a family of snakes (Nagvanshaki) and had only one son. As an oath, every day, one snake is offered to Pakshiraj Garuda as a feed and that day was her son's chance to become his food. After listening to her problem, Jimutavahana consoled her and promised that he would get back her son alive and would protect him from Garuda. He decides to lay down himself on the bed of rocks being presented to the Garuda for the feed. Garuda comes and holds the Jimutvahana covered with red cloth with his fingers and climbs the rock. Garuda finds it surprising when the person he has trapped does not response. He asks Jimutvahana his identity on which he describes the entire scene to the Garuda. Garuda, pleased with the bravery and the benevolence of Jimutvahana, departs and promises not to take any further sacrifices from the snakes. Due to the bravery and generosity of Jimutvahana, the race of the snakes was saved and since then, the fasts for the children's welfare and long life are observed.
References
- ↑ "Jivitputrika Vrat 2016 (Jitiya 2016) Date & Hindu Panchang - Indian Astrology". July 18, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.