KATHMANDU: Married women of Mithilanchal have formally welcomed the Jitiya festival from today.

Jitiya is an important festival of Nepali married women of Mithilanchal and Tharu women of all sub-castes.

Mothers observe the Jitiya Pawaiin  (fasting festival) by abstaining from water and food wishing for longevity of their children. The fast begins from very early morning of the second day of the festival and ends late morning of the third day.

The festival is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Ashwin in the lunar calendar.

Women devotees observe "Nirjala" fast (without water) on this day and break the fast next day by the end of Ashtami. Sometimes, when Ashtami begins in afternoon, women may have to fast for two days. Since nothing, even a drop of water, is put in mouth, the fast is also called 'Khar Jitiya'.

Children who escaped severe accidents are believed to have the blessings of their mothers having performed this pawaiin (festival).

It is a tradition to eat fish and chapatis made of millet the previous day. In the night prior to the fast, they take a meal just before the beginning of Ashtami. Children are often awoken. This is called Othghan.