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Jivitputrika (Jitiya)

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
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Jivitputrika (Jitiya)

Why it is celebrated

Jitiya, or Jivitputrika, is kept on Ashwin Krishna Ashtami. Mothers keep a hard fast without food or water for their children's long life and well-being. In Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal it runs over three days: nahay-khay, the waterless fast, and paran.

The story

Jimutvahan was a kind Gandharva prince. He had left his kingdom to look after his parents in the forest. One day he saw an old mother crying. When he asked why, he learned that she was of the Naga family, and that today it was the turn of her only son, Shankhachud, to be sent to Garud, king of the birds.

Seeing the mother's grief, Jimutvahan's heart melted. He said, 'Mother, do not cry. Today I will go in place of your son.' He went and lay down on the very rock where Garud was to come.

Garud came and carried him away. But he saw that this one was neither afraid nor crying. Puzzled, Garud asked, 'Who are you?' Jimutvahan told him the whole truth.

Seeing such sacrifice, Garud's heart changed. He set Jimutvahan free and promised that he would no longer trouble any Naga. The mother's son stayed safe in her arms.

Since then, on this day, mothers worship Jimutvahan and pray for the well-being of their children.

Puja vidhi

  1. On Saptami, nahay-khay: bathe and eat one simple, sattvic meal.
  2. On Ashtami, fast through the day and night without food or water; mothers who are pregnant, unwell or elderly may take fruit and water.
  3. In the evening, worship a figure of Jimutvahan made of kusha grass, and figures of a kite (cheel) and a she-jackal (siyarin) made of clay or cow dung.
  4. Offer roli, red thread, flowers, incense, a lamp and fruit; many mothers wear a jiutiya on a red thread around the neck.
  5. Listen to the katha of Jimutvahan and of the kite and the she-jackal.
  6. On the morning of Navami, after a bath and puja, do the paran and break the fast.

Food

On nahay-khay and paran: madua (ragi) roti, noni saag and simple rice and dal.

Wishes to send

  • Warm wishes on Jitiya! Pranam to the love and sacrifice of every mother.

  • May Jimutvahan ji's blessings be on your children. Best wishes on Jivitputrika.

  • A fast without food or water, and still a smile on her face: that is a mother. Best wishes on Jitiya.

  • A mother's prayer is every child's greatest support. May your vrat end in peace.

  • Compassion like Jimutvahan's and love like a mother's: that is the lesson of this festival.

  • On this holy day of Jiutiya, may your home always ring with children's laughter.

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