Jitiya Festival Begins Today

Kathmandu. Nepal possesses a rich diversity of festivals, customs, and cultures across its various regions.

One such distinct festival, celebrated mainly in the Madhesh region—particularly in Maithili-speaking areas—is Jitiya. The three-day festival has commenced today.

Jitiya is one of the major festivals celebrated in the Mithila-Madhesh region, characterized by a tradition of fasting.

It is a rigorous fasting festival linked to the desire for children, their longevity, good health, and deep maternal affection. Women have been observing this ritual since ancient times.

This year, women have formally begun the fasting rituals today on the Shashthi (sixth) day of the lunar fortnight. Today, the process begins by taking a ritual bath in a pond or lake. The fast will be observed without water (Nirahara) until the Ashtami (eighth) day on Saturday, and the festival will conclude on the Navami (ninth) day.