Jitiya Festival Concludes

Janakpur: The three-day Jitiya festival fast, observed by Mithila mothers for the enhancement of their children's heroism, safety, and well-being, concluded today.

The fasting rituals, which began on Friday, came to an end on the third day today. In many places, women devotees ended their fast in accordance with tradition after taking a holy dip and offering prayers in rivers and ponds in the morning, while in other places, the tradition involves returning home to perform worship before breaking the fast.

The tradition of the Jitiya fast is linked to the Ashtami (eighth day) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Ashwin. This period is also known as Pitru Paksha (the fortnight of the ancestors).

According to the rules of the Jitiya fast, the observance is completed on the Navami (ninth day) after a full day and night have passed. During this festival observed during Pitru Paksha, devotees customarily take a holy bath on the Saptami(seventh day) and make a formal vow (Sankalpa) for the fast while remembering their ancestors.

Offerings (Arghya) consisting of mustard oil, mustard cake, and mango pickle are presented to the Sun God (Suryadeva). Additionally, there is a custom of completing the fast by paying homage to deceased mothers-in-law, grand-mothers-in-law, great-grand-mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and relatives from the maternal lineage. On the main day of the Jitiyafestival, the devotees listen to the legend of King Jimutavahana.

According to mythological stories, during the Dvapara Yuga, King Shalivahana's son, Jimutavahana—a divine messenger in the Narmada river basin region of ancient India—resurrected seven deceased sons of a widowed Brahmin woman on the day of Ashwin Krishna Ashtami. In remembrance of this event, the tradition of observing the Jitiya fast for the welfare of offspring is believed to have originated in Mithila.

As in every year, mothers engaged in the fast this year as well, praying for the longevity, health, and success of their families and children. The Jitiya festival holds special significance particularly in the Mithilanchal region.