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HomeArt & CultureJitiya Parba, Festival of Devotion, Fasting, and Prosperity

Jitiya Parba, Festival of Devotion, Fasting, and Prosperity

Jitiya Parba

Jitiya Parba is one of the most awaited festivals celebrated by women in Nepal’s Mithilanchal area. It is especially celebrated in the districts of Sunsari, Morang, and Saptari. This three-day religious festive is marked by mothers and women who fast and perform rituals to ensure their children’s longevity, wealth, and well-being. Jitiya Parba is rooted in tradition and signifies women’s belief and devotion which makes it one of the region’s most significant cultural events.

The Meaning and History of Jitiya Parba

Jitiya Parba is more than simply a festive; it represents motherhood, faith, and dedication. There is a legend of how it started. In the legend, when a demon kidnapped a woman’s seven boys in King Shalivahan’s realm. After the king successfully rescued the child, the mother began fasting in gratitude. It eventually evolved into the Jitiya Parba ritual. The fasting is devoted to Lord Jitamohan. It is believed that fasting on these days provides protection, health, and wealth to one’s family.

The festival’s religious significance is enhanced by the fact that it includes offerings to the ancestors, which strengthens the bond between the living and the dead. Jitiya Parba shows the strength of religion and how it has been passed down through generations.

Rituals and Ceremonies of Jitiya Parba

The three-day celebration begins with the ‘Naha Kha’ ritual, in which ladies take a holy dip in nearby rivers or ponds before eating. After that, they eat beaten rice, curd, and food dishes cooked with mango juice and jaggery. They make offerings to Lord Jitamohan and their ancestors on luffa gourd leaves. It represents devotion and remembering.

On the second day, women begin their fast with the ‘Machh Maruwa’, or millet bread and fish offering. They ask for blessings for their family. The fast, which lasts from early morning to evening, is frequently observed without food or drink, which shows women’s determination and commitment.

The last day is the ‘Othgan’ ritual, in which women assemble along the riverbanks to take a holy dip and give prayers. Mothers consume beaten rice and curd and rub oil from the offerings on their children as a kind of blessing and protection.

Cultural and Social Significance

Jitiya Parba holds immense cultural significance in Mithilanchal. It is not only because of its religious roots but also because of its significance in cementing family and community relationships. The event celebrates women’s love, strength, and religion, emphasizing the essential role they play in the well-being of their families.

Beyond religious devotion, the event provides an opportunity for women to unite, encourage one another, and celebrate their common experiences. It develops a feeling of community, allowing people to interact on a deeper level through the common goal of safeguarding their loved ones.

To Conclude,

Jitiya Parba is more than a festival; it is a powerful expression of religion, love, and familial connection. The festival, which has been passed down through centuries, remains culturally significant in Nepal. It shows women’s power and dedication in Mithila society. Whether it’s through fasting rituals, ancestor offerings, or prayers for family well-being, Jitiya Parba is a sign of motherhood’s power and dedication that is marked year after year.

Also read: Top 5 Places to Visit This Dashain in Nepal

Image source: https://www.lokmatnews.in/spirituality/jivitputrika-vrat-2019-jitiya-why-eating-fish-before-jivitputrika-vrat-is-auspicious/

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