Jitiya or Jivitputrika Vrat is a 3-day fasting which is observed by Hindu women in the month of Ashwin as per the Hindu lunar calendar. This auspicious festival is quite popular in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Mothers observe the Jitiya fast on this day to ensure the happy and long lives of their beloved children.DateThis year Jitiya Vrat is celebrated from October 6 to October 8.Timing of Jitiya VratJitiya is a very special festival and is celebrated with the same faith as Chhath Puja. Women who observe this fast must follow the below-mentioned timing:Ashtami Tithi begins- at 6:34 am on October 6, 2023 Ashtami Tithi ends at 8:08 am on October 7, 2023Story behind the Jivitputrika VratThere are many stories related to the origin of Jitiya. One of them dates back to Mahabharata times. When Ashwathamas father passed away during the war, he wanted to kill Pandavas. However, he accidentally killed Draupadis five sons and Pandavas survived.Ashwathama used Brahmastra to kill the unborn child of Abhimanyus wife Uttara. However, he was successful in doing so but Lord Krishna gave a new life to the dead child and he was alive again. The child who grew up to become Raja Parikshit was known as Jivitputrika due to this miracle. From then onwards, mothers started to observe Jitiya fast.How it is celebratedThe fasting process begins early in the morning. On the first day, women who observe fast get up early and take a bath. After taking a shower, one must offer water to the Sun. After all these things, sattvic food is prepared with ghee, and pink salt is used instead of regular salt.On the second day, women observe the fast for 24-hour and the fast is concluded on the third day with cucumber and milk. After, all these women who observe the fast prepare a meal of rice, noni saag, and madua roti and eat after breaking the fast.
