What is Jivitputrika Festival?

About Jivitputrika Festival:

• Jivitputrika, or Jitiya Vrat, is a Hindu festival observed primarily in the northern and eastern parts of India, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal.
• It is celebrated by mothers who fast for the well-being, long life, and prosperity of their children.
• The festival spans three days, with the main ritual involving a strict ‘nirjala’ fast, meaning no water is consumed during the fast.
• The fast is considered an expression of a mother's devotion and love, with the belief that it will bring divine blessings upon her children.
• The festival is rooted in Hindu mythology, particularly the story of King Jimutavahana, whose sacrifice for the welfare of others is commemorated during this time.
• The celebration begins with Nahai-Khai, where mothers take a purifying bath and eat a nourishing meal.
• The second day is marked by the rigorous fasting ritual, and the festival concludes on the third day with Paaran, where the fast is broken with a meal.

Q1: Who was King Jimutavahana?

King Jimutavahana is a significant figure in Hindu mythology, especially known for his role in the Kathasaritsagara, an ancient Indian collection of stories and legends. He is revered for his selflessness and sacrifice, particularly in the story associated with the Jivitputrika Vrat, a festival celebrated for the well-being of children.Jimutavahana is most famous for offering himself to the Garuda (the mighty bird and vehicle of Vishnu) to save the Nagas (serpent beings) from being eaten. This act of self-sacrifice symbolizes his supreme sense of duty and compassion for others.

Source: 46 Drown, Including 37 Children, During 'Jivitputrika' Festival In Bihar Districts