Jivitputrika Vrat Puja

Jivitputrika is a festival  is observed by mothers for the wellbeing of their children. A three-day-long festival is celebrated from seventh to ninth lunar day of Krishna-Paksha in Ashvin month. It is celebrated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh states of India and Nepal. 

Jivitputrika vrat is also known as Jitiya in some parts of India.The significance of the Jivitputrika vrat puja is the protection of sons of the family from all dangers to life. Though, of late people have started doing theJivitputrika vrat puja for their daughters too which is a healthy change. 

It is believed that in ancient times there lived a king named Jimutwahan who brought back many people to life after Garuda the legendary bird mount of Lord Vishnu had killed and eaten their flesh.The king is said to have offered himself for the killing in place of a boy which moved the bird and it agreed to give back life to all the dead young people. So, the women folk pray and observe a fast which lasts for about a day and half without even sipping water. A day before the fast women need to bathe and do puja after which a meal of some specific items is done and the items vary from area to area. People in the Mithilanchal generally have fish on this day as a must have item. The day of the fast begins at a particular auspicious time before which the women are allowed to eat something, usually curd, chura[beaten rice]and sweets and this is termed 'otgan'.

The whole family actually can do 'otgan' on Jivitputrika Vrat. Then begins the fasting. The puja process varies from area to area. In some areas women offer a basket full of fruits and local sweet delicacies covering it with a huge leaf or new piece of cloth and then having it unfolded by the sons after the fast ends. Women also form groups and listen to 'katha' or a story associated with the fast from an elderly female member. The fast ends as Navami arrives since the fast is observed on ashtami. After the end of the fast the women folk eat several delicacies including the normal food barring non-vegetarian items which is termed 'parna'.

A three day long festival is celebrated from the seventh to the ninth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in Ashwin month 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 is observed without water. This is called Khur Jitiya (khur is dry hay). On the third day, the fast ends with Paaran (taking the first food of the day). In Mithilanchal region of northeastern Bihar and eastern Nepal, a variety of food and a special festival delicacy Jhor Bhaat (Jhor is Curry and Bhaat is white rice), Noni ka saag and Madua ki Roti are prepared. In bhojpuri region of western Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and terrain of Nepal, Paaran is done with "Noni ka saag, Maruwa ki roti and a vegetable stew of zucchini" (often considered food of extremely poor peoples) The festival is celebrated mainly in the Bhojpuri and Maithili speaking regions of Nepal and Bihar, Jharkhand and Eastern Uttar Pradesh of India.

2016 Date : 23rd September, Friday.