Jitmutbahan Brat (Jitia)

important festival of Mithilanchal for Sadhwa women of all castes and is performed for the well being and longevity of their sons

celebrated by the mothers of Mithila for the welfare and prosperity of their children

Jeemutvahan a mythological hero got the false charge of adultery against his chaste mother absolved by god

Jeemutvahan is respected as an ideal son and is worshipped by women

It is performed on Aswin Krishna Ashtami prevailing in

They observe Nirjala fast on this day and break the fast next day on the expiry of Ashtami

At times when Ashtami begins in afternoon, they may have to fast for two days

Since nothing, even a spec of grass is put in mouth, the fast is also called Khar Jitia

Those who escape severe accidents are believed to have the blessings of their mother having performed this brat

It is custom to take Fish and chapatti made of millet (Marua) the previous day, unlike other fasts when Ekbhukta may be don

In the night prior to fast they take a meal just before the beginning of Ashtami

This is peculiar to this fasting only

Often children are awoken and fed the preparations

This is known as

Story:

There was a desert called Baluhata on the western side of river

Near the sea on the bank of river Narmada there was a city named Kanchanawati which was ruled by the king Malayketu

There was a Pakar tree on the branch of which lived a she-hawk and in the hole of the trunk lived a she-jackal

Once they, like the womenfolk of the place, observed the fast and performed the pooja of Jimootbahan son of Shalibahan

That day the son of the richest trader of that city died. he was cremated nearby

In the night there was terrific rain and thunderstorm

The Jackal could not resist the temptation of eating the remains, but the hawk continued with her fast

Next day after the women folk broke the fast, she also broke the fast

In the next birth, they were born as sisters in the house of a Brahmin, Bhaskar

The elder, hawk in previous birth, was named Sheelwati and was married to Buddhism and the younger, jackal in previous birth, was named Karpoorawati and was married to the king, Malayketu