Nitish Kumar greets mothers on Jitiya fast
Synopsis
Former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar extended wishes on Jivitputrika (Jitiya) Vrat, honouring mothers who fast for their children's long life, happiness, and health, and bowing to their unbreakable faith and devotion.
Key Takeaways
Nitish Kumar posted Jitiya greetings on October 3, 2026 , the day of Jivitputrika Vrat.
He described the fast as mothers' prayer for their children's long life, happiness, prosperity, and good health .
Jivitputrika (Jitiya) Vrat is a nirjala fast — no food or water — widely observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern UP .
The festival is rooted in the legend of goddess Jivitputrika and is one of the most demanding maternal vrats of the region.
Kumar saluted the 'unbreakable faith and belief' of all mothers observing the fast.
On the auspicious occasion of Jivitputrika (Jitiya) Vrat, former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar extended heartfelt wishes to mothers across the state, saluting their unwavering faith and devotion on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Writing in Hindi, Kumar said: 'Mothers observe this fast with the prayer for their children's long life, happiness, prosperity, and good health. I bow to the unbreakable faith and belief of all mothers.' The message captures the essence of one of Bihar and eastern India's most deeply observed maternal fasts.
What Jitiya means for millions of Bihar's mothers
Jivitputrika Vrat, popularly called Jitiya, is a rigorous nirjala fast — observed without food or water — kept by mothers in Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh for the well-being and longevity of their children. Falling in the Krishna Paksha of the Ashwin month of the Hindu calendar, it is among the most physically demanding and emotionally significant vrats of the region's liturgical year.
The fast is named after Jivitputrika, the goddess whose legend centres on a mother's unconditional sacrifice for her child's survival. Generations of families in the Gangetic plains regard it as a cornerstone of maternal piety, observed regardless of economic circumstance — a fact that makes Kumar's salute to mothers' 'unbreakable faith' resonate beyond the ceremonial.
Point of View
Kumar's Jitiya message is consistent with a long-standing tradition of publicly acknowledging regional festivals that resonate deeply with the state's Hindu heartland. The Jitiya vrat, observed almost exclusively by mothers in the Gangetic belt, carries both religious and socio-cultural weight — making it a natural touchstone for a leader seeking to reinforce ties with Bihar's grassroots electorate. Such ceremonial posts, while low on policy content, serve a quiet but steady purpose: keeping a senior leader visible and relatable in a media cycle that rewards constant engagement. The JDU's continued relevance in Bihar's coalition politics means Kumar's cultural messaging is never purely symbolic.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jivitputrika (Jitiya) Vrat?
Jivitputrika Vrat, known as Jitiya, is a rigorous nirjala fast observed by mothers in Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh for the long life and well-being of their children. It falls in the Krishna Paksha of the Ashwin month in the Hindu calendar.
Why did Nitish Kumar post about Jitiya in 2026?
Nitish Kumar posted Jitiya greetings on October 3, 2026, the day of Jivitputrika Vrat, to extend wishes to mothers observing the fast and to salute their faith and devotion — a customary practice for senior political leaders during major regional festivals.
Who observes Jitiya fast and why?
Mothers in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh observe the Jitiya fast, praying for their children's long life, happiness, prosperity, and good health. It is one of the most physically demanding vrats, kept without food or water.
What did Nitish Kumar say about Jitiya 2026?
Nitish Kumar said mothers observe this fast with the prayer for their children's long life, happiness, prosperity, and good health, and expressed his respect — 'I bow to the unbreakable faith and belief of all mothers.'
Is Jitiya a public holiday in Bihar?
Jitiya is not a gazetted public holiday across India, but it is one of the most culturally significant festivals in Bihar and the broader Gangetic belt, widely observed at the community and family level.
