Jitiya Festival: A Deep Dive into its Cultural and Spiritual Significance

Jitiya is an extremely sensitive, cultural, and challenging folk festival celebrated by the Maithil and Tharu communities. Folk festivals are given the name of the beliefs and convictions of the community. Jitiya, derived from the Sanskrit word 'Jivitputrika', is a corrupted form. It embodies specific human activities, daily life, and achievements, which guide lifestyle in a particular direction.

In the Jitiya festival, folk deities are worshipped, not any classical deities. It is believed that mothers worship folk deities to receive blessings for the long life and healthy living of their children. The desire for blessings from folk deities by observing a strict fast for the protection of children is a manifestation of the ultimate form of maternal love.