Jitha Asthami- A rural ritual in Paschimanchal

 

It was the early September two years back, I was moving to Deulghata from Ajodhya Hills en route Sirkabad.  The journey was pleasant, the foothill of Ajodhya was greenery; I found upright dense sugarcane plants standing with unique configuration everywhere- I was ecstatic to see the natural beauty stretched along the road , and felt romantic all through  as well. Suddenly I saw queued motor vans, carts and matadors  , farmers hurriedly running ,their faces were not visible,  only  huge sugarcane bunches seen on  head , faces were coved with drooping leaves,  they  were busy in uploading canes  brought from the fields onto  the vehicles. I halted and met some  farmers who were cutting baby sugarcanes .

“What happened? Why are you cutting immature canes? Where will those go?”_ i asked

-“Tomorrow is Jita Asthami.. there is high demand for sugarcane plants. It is better to sell off now at high price.”-quick response came out.

I understood the importance of Sugarcane and its relationship with Jitha Asthami.

Jitha Asthami is a popular ceremony throughout Purulia. It is religiously observed across classes. Jitha Asthami brat is a strict celebrartion..this brat is a ‘Nirjala upabas’- complete fast without taking water or drinking. It is celebrated on the eight day of Aswin (Bengali calendar) for the well being of children. Married women participate in the ceremony.

Fulkumari of Dumurdihi celebrating this fast this year.   Jitaasthami brata starts at the end of Saptami and continue so long astami lasts. According to her, last year it was about 36 hours long fasting, however, the period is limited to 24 hrs this year. I inquired from her whether males could participate  in jita Asthami brata or not. She said “ in case of emergency, males do sometimes..but rare”.

The norms of celebration differs from area to area. Local customs govern the rituals. Normally,the brata as well as puja is held in the premises of household. However, in Dumurdihi, the community joins the festival.  Women in a group come to the Garamsthan (local deity) and put twigs of  karam or bat there.  Odd number of sugarcane plants are put there, it is fastened and  marked with turmeric.   An image of Jimutbahan is made with the kush.   Soaked & sprouted Kulthi, gram, rajma etc. are placed and offered to the deity. The fast is broken with taking mixed sprouted pulses. Cucumber is chewed on the moment of ending fast.

Women observing Brata receive new clothes from their paternal home.  Prasad is sent to relations .

In  Baghmundi, it is a kind of worshipping nature. Differnt types of twigs are planted at the alter of Tulshimanch. Mantras are iterated by Laya.  They recall Ma Durga, Raja Jimutbahan for children’s well being.

In Bishnupur , Devi Durga is welcomed from this auspicious day. Candles in front of the temple are lit in the evening daily till Dasami is over.

In Jharkhand it is called Jitia festival.

I wonder how mothers do  sacrifice and undertake pains for their children.