Jitiya, also known as Jiutiya or Jivitputrika, is an ancient Hindu festival observed by mothers for the well-being and long life of their children. The observance is rooted in regional Hindu traditions and is marked by fasting and associated rituals.
The festival is traditionally held over three days, from the seventh to the ninth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashvin according to the Hindu calendar. It is observed in Nepal as well as in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, where it forms part of the seasonal cycle of vrata (vow-based) festivals undertaken by women within the family.
Central to Jitiya is the nirjala vrata, a fast kept by mothers as an expression of devotion and a prayer for the welfare of their offspring. The fast is preceded and followed by customary rites, with families gathering to mark the occasion through community observance and shared traditions.
In Jharkhand, the festival is observed in an extended form lasting eight days, from the first lunar day to the eighth lunar day in the first half of the month of Ashvin. The longer regional observance reflects local customs that have developed around the core rites of the festival.
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Jitiya.