Jivitputrika Vrat

Jivitputrika Vrat, widely called Jitiya, is a demanding maternal fast observed especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal for the well-being of children. One of its best-known kathas tells of the compassionate prince Jimutavahana. He learns that Garuda regularly takes a naga as food and meets Shankhachuda, a serpent youth who is prepared to sacrifice himself to save his community. Jimutavahana secretly offers his own body in the youth's place. Garuda, moved when he discovers this extraordinary self-sacrifice, stops the killing and restores those who had suffered. The story places selfless protection of another's child and life at the heart of the vrat. Mothers traditionally observe a strict, often nirjala fast through the day and night, worship for their children's health and longevity, and complete the vow according to the local tithi and family tradition.

Jivitputrika Vrat is valued for devotion, family tradition and the spiritual or seasonal meaning attached to the day.

Nirjala, roughly thirty-six hours: begun after a meal on the saptami evening and broken on the navami morning.