Jitiya has been celebrated in Barahakshetra...

 

Jitiya is an important festival of Nepali married women of Mithilanchal and Tharu woman of Eastern and Central Nepal. Jitiya vrata is performed for the wellbeing and long life of her sons. It is performed on Aswin Krishna Ashtmi usually during Pradosh time.

Jitiya is an important festival of Nepali married women of Mithilanchal and Tharu woman of Eastern and Central Nepal. Jitiya vrata is performed for the wellbeing and long life of her sons. It is performed on Ashvin Krishna Ashtami usually during Pradosh time. Nepali women observe Nirjala fast (without water) on this day and break the fast next day on the end of Ashtami. Sometimes, w

hen Ashtami begins in afternoon, women may have to fast for two days. Since nothing, even a drop of water, is put in mouth, the fast is also called Khar Jitia. Children who escaped severe accidents are believed to have the blessings of their mother having performed this brat. It is trend or tradition to eat fish and chapatti (roti, bread) made of millet (Marua) the previous day. In the night prior to fast they take a meal just before the beginning of Ashtami. This is peculiar to this fasting only. Often children are awoken and fed the preparations. This is   known as Othaghan. 

Among the very many feasts and festivals of Nepal, Jitiya is a festival that is celebrated by women from the Terai region of Nepal. Jitiya falls on the seventh, eighth and ninth day of the waning moon (Krishna Pakshya) in the month of Ashwin (September), tentatively nine or 10 days before Ghatasthapana.

They worship the idol of Jimutavahana and there is a significance of worshipping Lord Surya on this auspicious day of Jitiya Vrat. As per the Hindu Scriptures, once there was a king named Jimutavahana who was kind hearted and humble.

Day 1 | Nahai-Khai: On this day, those observing fast take a bath, preferably in a water body. After the bath, satvik food prepared with ghee is eaten and pink salt is sprinkled on it instead of regular.

Day 2 | Khur-Jitiya or Jiviputrika day: This is the second day of the festival and a 24-hour fast is observed when women go with food and water. The fast is concluded only the next day as per muhurat.

Day 3 | Parana: This is the third day of the fast when mothers conclude their vrat. Many break the fast with cucumber and milk. Thereafter traditional meal of rice, noni saag and madua roti is consumed.

Jitiya ceremony was hosted and organized by Tharu Kalyankarini sabha municipal committee Barahakshetra supported by ward office 3,4,5,7and8of Barahakshetra. On this auspicious occasion , public holiday was declared by office of Barahakshetra municipality ,Sunsari.

In such a grand ceremony , Tharu singers Sunil Chaudhary and Anuma Chaudhary had presented Tharu songs.