Jivitputrika (Jitiya) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Mothers: Primarily, mothers observe this strict fast for the health, protection, long life, and prosperity of their children (both sons and daughters).
• Women Desiring Children: Newly married women and those hoping for offspring also keep this vrat to seek blessings for a child (Santan Prapti).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Previous Day: Mothers bathe and eat a simple sattvic meal to prepare for the fast (families differ on the details).
• Morning Sankalp: The vow is taken in the early hours, in Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn period), and the fast then runs through the day without food or water.
• Puja Muhurat: The Jivitputrika puja is done in the evening during Pradosh Kaal (the period after sunset). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Breaking the Fast (Parana): The fast is broken the next morning, after the vrat period has ended.

About the Festival

Jivitputrika, known as Jitiya, is a deeply revered observance of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, in which mothers keep a strict fast for the long life of their children. It takes place on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin.

The Vrat Katha (Story of Jimutavahana)

Once upon a time, there lived a kind and generous prince named Jimutavahana, the son of the king of the Vidyadharas. He left his kingdom and settled in the forest, where he served his father with devotion and spent his days in prayer.

One day he saw an old Naga woman weeping bitterly. She told him that every day a Naga was offered as food to Garuda, and that today it was her only son, Shankhachuda, who was to be taken. Jimutavahana felt great compassion for the grieving mother.

He comforted her and said: "Do not weep, mother. I will go in place of your son, so that no mother loses her child today." Jimutavahana wrapped himself in red cloth and lay down on the rock where Garuda would come. When Garuda arrived and seized him, he did not cry out. Garuda was struck by his courage and compassion and realized his mistake.

Moved by Jimutavahana's selfless sacrifice, Garuda released him, promised to stop devouring the Nagas, and blessed him. All who had died were restored to life by Garuda's grace. Since that day, mothers have observed the Jivitputrika fast and worshipped Jimutavahana for the protection and long life of their children.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the evening puja:

• Image / Idol: Kusha grass or clay figure of Jimutavahana
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick
• Sacred Water Container: A small Kalash filled with fresh water
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Fruits, sweets, and boiled rice or Kheer
• Devotional Accessories: Flowers, Kalava, and the sacred thread (Jiutiya thread) for the neck

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes (preferably red, yellow, or pink; avoid wearing black).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Lord Jimutavahana, today I observe this fast for the health, long life, and wellbeing of my children. Grant me the strength to complete this vow with pure devotion."
3. Observe the fast through the day without food or water, as the tradition requires (families differ on strictness).

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Late Afternoon)

1. Clean the puja space and place a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean cloth.
2. Place the Kusha or clay figure of Jimutavahana on the Chowki.
3. Place a Kalash filled with clean water near the figure.

Step 3: Performing the Evening Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and place it in front of Jimutavahana.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat to the figure and the Kalash.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh flowers and tie a piece of Kalava around the Kalash.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place fruits, sweets, and cooked rice before the deity.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Jivitputrika Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, offer the grains and petals at the feet of Jimutavahana.

Step 5: Aarti and Prayers

1. Perform the Jimutavahana Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Tie the Jiutiya thread around your neck as a mark of protection for your children.
3. Pray for the longevity and happiness of your children.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the prasad among your family members and children.
3. Break your fast the next morning by partaking in the prasad and a simple sattvic meal.