Mothers pray for children’s prosperity, health

PATNA: Many women observed fast on the occasion of Jivitputrika, popularly known as ‘Jitiya’, and prayed for the longevity of their children in the state capital on Thursday. They also heard the story of King Jimuti.

Bailey Road resident Manorama Kumari celebrated the festival happily in the presence of her New Zealand-based son, who is in town to look after his parents amid the Covid-19 pandemic. She said, “For the first time in five years, my son is with us on this auspicious occasion.”

While the festival is traditionally celebrated for the prosperity of sons, many mothers also observe fast for their daughters.

Salimpur Ahra resident Seema Sinha told this newspaper, “A mother loves all her children — be it a son or a daughter. Every year on Jitiya, I pray for the prosperity of my daughter too and give her the Jivitputrika thread.”

Mahavir Mandir Trust secretary Acharya Kunal Kishore also pointed out that Jitiya was celebrated for the well-being of children irrespective of their gender.

“In the Sanskrit language, the word ‘putra’ signifies both son and daughter just like the word ‘pita’ signifies both father and mother. Hence, contrary to the popular belief that the festival is only for sons, many mothers observe fast for their daughters as well,” he added.

According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Jivitputrika ‘vrat’ is observed every year on Krishna Paksha Ashtami in the month of Ashwin. The three-day festival, which started on Wednesday with ‘nahai-khay’, will conclude with ‘paran’ when mothers will break their ‘nirjala fast’ and savour special delicacies like ‘jhor-bhat’, ‘noni saag’ and ‘mandua roti’.

Meanwhile, a large number of makeshift shops, selling puja items such as Jitiya thread, coconuts and garlands, were put up across the city. The prices of fruits and certain vegetables also shot up on the occasion.

“I sold more than 20kg of ‘noni saag’. The sale of zucchini also increased because of Jitiya,” claimed Dina Nath, a vegetable seller in Anisabad.