Jitiya is a symbol of jit (victory). “Jitmahan” is the main deity of jitiya. Jitiya is a three-day-long Hindu festival which is celebrated from the seventh to ninth lunar day of Krishna-Paksha in Ashwin month. They take Barta (fasting) for the long life of their children and omen for family. During the period, women worship to god Bishnu, Shiva and Sun.

On the first day, called as Lahakhai, the women of the Maithili and Tharu community take dips into nearby rivers or ponds and offer beaten rice, curd, mustard cake, mustard oil on the sponge gourd leaves or yam leaves and let it flow on the river for the departed ancestors before going for fasting.

The second day of Jitiya is called Upas.The major event of this day is called “Dali Jhapai” where dali filled with different fruits, Supari, Laddu , Axchat, Belpatra etc, is then covered by Yam leaf by children. Whole day woman listen to “Jitmahan Katha” and sing and dance in folk songs wishing for the longevity and pursuit of family happiness.

The third day is Puran. The major event is uncovering of “Dali”. The contents of dali is taken as prasadi and ends their fasting, eating soaked grains like Mung bean and other and the “Prasadi”.Some practices varies between Miaithalies and Tharu.

The different ethnic groups of people join this event which creates harmony, social solidarity and mutual understanding among the people.
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