Jitiya Vrat 2026 Date & Shubh Muhurat: When is Jivitputrika (Jitiya) fast? On October 3, mothers will keep a hard waterless fast of 36 hours for the longevity of their children.

In Sanatan culture, among the fasts observed by mothers for the health, longevity, happy life of their children and protection from all kinds of troubles, ‘Jivitputrika Vrat’, which is called ‘Jiutiya’ or ‘Jeetiya’ in the folk language, is considered to be the most difficult, ascetic and fruitful. The faith in this festival is visible in the Mithila region and Terai regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Nepal. Like Chhath Puja, this waterless fast is celebrated for three days with strict rituals and discipline. According to the Hindu calendar, Jivitputrika Vrat is observed on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month, which falls during Pitru Paksha (Shraddha Paksha). This holy fast in the year 2026 Saturday, October 3, 2026 Will be kept. On this day, for the welfare of their children, mothers observe a fast without consuming even a single drop of food or water for 24 to 36 hours and worship Lord Jimutavahana.

According to religious beliefs and Drik Panchang, Pradosh Kaal Vyapini Ashtami Tithi has special significance in Jivitputrika fast. The astronomical details of the beginning and end of Ashtami Tithi for the year 2026 are as follows:

Jivitputrika Vrat is not just a one-day fast, but it is a spiritual ritual lasting three days:

• 1. Nahay-Khay (2 October 2026, Friday): On the first day of the fast, mothers take bath in the holy river or pond in the morning. Satvik food is cooked on this day. Traditionally, ‘Noni Saag’, ridge gourd (Nenua) vegetable and ‘Madua’ (Ragi) roti are prepared on this day. After having food in the evening, the women of the house prepare for the next day’s fast.

• 2. Othgan/Sargahi (early morning of 3 October): The ritual of ‘Othgan’ or ‘Datiyan’ takes place between 4 and 5 in the morning before sunrise on Ashtami Tithi. In this, women consume water, milk, fruits or sweet kheer. The resolution of Nirjala fast starts after sunrise, after which even swallowing spit is considered prohibited.

• 3. Main Jivitputrika Vrat (3 October 2026, Saturday): Women observe Nirjala fast the whole day and the whole night. In the afternoon or evening, wearing clean clothes, a small pond (pokhara) is made with soil or cow dung in the courtyard or terrace. There, the idol of the virtuous Jimutvahana is installed from the grass of Kush and the idols of Chilho and Siyaro are made from wet soil or cow dung. After this the story is heard as per the rituals.

• 4. Day of Paran (4 October 2026, Sunday): After sunrise on Navami Tithi, mothers take bath and offer Arghya to the Sun God. After this, the fast is broken with the prasad (soaked gram, cucumber, fruits) and traditional dishes of Paran (jhori, noni saag, kadhi-rice) offered in the puja.

Gandharva prince at the center of the tradition of Jeetiya Vrat jimutvahan The story of kindness and sacrifice is linked.

• Story of protection of Nagraj Shankhchud: According to mythological stories, Gandharva prince Jimutavahana was very kind, charitable and Jitendriya. He left his kingdom and took retirement in the forest. One day in the forest he found an old snake mother (mother of Shankhachud) mourning. On enquiry, it came to light that as per the agreement made with the bird king Garuda, one snake is made food for Garuda every day and today it is the turn of his only son Shankhachud. Jimutavahana promised to protect the son of that unhappy mother and wrapped himself in a red cloth and lay down on the slaughtering stone. When Garuda Dev started carrying him away, he saw no fear on Jimutavahana’s face, but a glow of peace and benevolence. When Garuda came to know the truth, he was extremely pleased with this amazing sacrifice of Jimutavahana. Garuda Dev not only gave life to Jimutavahana but also promised not to kill any snake in future. Since then, Jimutavahana came to be considered the protector of the lives of children.

• The story of the eagle and the lion: In another incident, the story of Cheel and Siarin, who were friends in their previous birth, is told. The eagle endured hunger and thirst and completed the waterless fast of Jivitputrika with all the rituals, while Siyarin could not bear the hunger and broke her fast by secretly consuming non-vegetarian food and water. As a result, in the next birth, all the children of the eagle became healthy, intelligent and lived a long life, whereas the children of Siyarin started dying untimely death as soon as they were born. This is the reason that during the puja, eagles and lions are also made symbols and vermilion, flowers and food are offered to them.

Jivitputrika fast is also deeply related to the last episode of the Kurukshetra war of Mahabharata. When the Mahabharata war ended and Duryodhana died, Dronacharya’s son Ashwatthama, burning with vengeance, entered the Pandava camp at midnight to end the Pandava dynasty and killed all five sleeping sons of Draupadi. When he came to know that the only Kuldeepak of the Pandavas was still alive in the womb of Uttara, the wife of Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu, Ashwatthama fired the infallible ‘Brahmastra’ to destroy Uttara’s womb.

Frightened, Uttara pleaded with Lord Krishna for the life of her unborn child. Lord Shri Krishna, gathering all his virtues and the power of Yogamaya, entered the womb of Uttara and gave new life to that unborn child. The name of that child because he came alive despite being dead due to the power of Brahmastra. ‘Jeevitputrika’ and later on ‘Parikshit’ Pada, who expanded the empire of Pandavas at the beginning of Kaliyuga. The day when Lord Krishna protected Uttara’s womb was the day of Ashwin Krishna Ashtami. It is believed that the mothers who remember God by keeping a Nirjala fast on this day, even the most life-threatening troubles of their children are eliminated.

This fast is considered extremely difficult, hence it is mandatory for the fasting mothers to follow some special rules:

• Resolution of waterless fasting: Drinking water, eating fruits or swallowing spit is prohibited during this fast. If a woman’s health is very bad, then only she can go for the option of fruit fast or water fast; Otherwise it is kept completely anhydrous.

• Distance from vengeful thoughts and discord: During the fast, do not use anger, jealousy or harsh words towards anyone. Maintain complete peace and virtuous atmosphere in the house.

• Red and yellow thread (jeetiya): After the puja, mothers touch a red or yellow cotton thread (called ‘Jeetiya’) at the feet of Lord Jimutavahana and wear it around the neck of their children. This thread acts as a protective shield for children.

• Do not take food before Parana: Do not break the fast until the sunrise on Navami Tithi occurs on the morning of 4th October and Surya Arghya is ritually offered.

• Essential importance of Noni Saag: Eating Noni Saag at the time of Paran is considered very auspicious. Even in Ayurveda, Noni greens are rich in iron, calcium and antioxidants, which provide instant natural energy and nutrition to the body after 36 hours of waterless fasting.

By observing Jivitputrika Vrat on 3rd October 2026 with full rituals, devotion and love, mothers can get the blessings of long life, bright future and health of their children.