Jitiya Vrat 2024 : India is a very religious country, where important festivals of Hinduism are celebrated throughout the year. Some of these are celebrated all over the country, while some are celebrated at the regional level. Apart from this, some dates are celebrated every month. These include Ekadashi Tithi. Sawan begins from the month of August. After this, some festival or the other is celebrated continuously till the end of November, which includes Rakshabandhan, Vishwakarma Puja, Anant Chaturdashi, Ganesh Utsav, Diwali, Chhath, Jitiya, etc. This year, Jitiya fast will be kept on 25 September.
According to the Hindu calendar, it will start on the Ashtami Tithi of Ashwini month i.e. on September 24 at 12:38 pm and will end on September 25 at 12:10 pm. Therefore, according to the Udaya Tithi, Jitiya Vrat will be observed on September 25. At the same time, the fast will be broken on September 26 from 4:35 am to 5:30 am.
Let us tell you that on this day, married women keep a 24-hour Nirjala fast for their children. During this time, they worship Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Sun God. Also, they offer water to the rising and setting sun. After this, the story of Jivitputrika Vrat is heard, who was a Gandharva prince. This fast is especially kept in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern areas of Uttar Pradesh. When mothers keep the fast to wish for the long life of their children. It is said that this fast has to be done every year, it cannot be left in between, otherwise the children can be surrounded by troubles.
According to mythology, this fast is associated with Lord Jimutvahana. Who decided to go to the forest after handling the royal affairs and he went to the forest to live with his father. One day he found a woman crying in the forest. Seeing this, Jimutvahana could not bear it and he asked the woman the reason for her trouble, then the woman told that the snakes have promised the Garuda bird that they will send a snake every day. In return, they will not enter the underworld. So Jimutvahana asked why are you crying Devi. On which the woman told that today it is the turn of her son to go and how can any mother see her child dying. Then Jimutvahana asked the woman to be rest assured and decided that in place of her son, he will go in front of the Garuda bird as its food. As soon as he reached there, the Garuda bird picked up Jimutvahana with its claws, then Jimutvahana told his whole story. Hearing the tale of his sacrifice, the Garuda bird gave Jimutvahana life. He also promised that he would not make any living creature his food from now on. Since then, Jitiya fast started being observed.
This fast is observed in the same way as Chhath. On this day, women fasting should first wake up in the Brahma Muhurta and take a bath and wear clean clothes. On this day, fruits, sweets, clean sugar and tea made from leaves and clean water, etc. are consumed before sunrise. Eating anything after sunrise is prohibited.
(Disclaimer: The information provided here is based only on beliefs and information. Read does not confirm any kind of belief, information. Before implementing any information or belief, consult the concerned expert.)
