Festivals of Mithila

Festivals are always fascinating and are identification of any place or any culture. Festivals of Mithila is symbolizing the heart and soul of the place. In this era of modernization , people of Mithilanchal are preserving their culture by celebrating their local festivals . These festivals are directly connected to nature and all have some beautiful importance.

1. Jude Sheetal

Jude Sheetal is called the Maithil New Year. This festival is celebrated in whole Bihar but particularly this is known as the festival of Maithils. It is celebrated on 14th April every year . The people of Mithila follow Gorgarian Calender and according to the calender they celebrated each and every festival. This festival is directly related to the nature as every festival of Mithila. This festival is related to cleanliness. The festival falls in the Summer season, so the tradition is to shower the water on the heads of the younger ones by the adults of the family. The water is put in the soil pot a night before the festival. It also signifies the caring nature of the people. They welcome the new year by showering the water which brings cool and calm environment everywhere. There is a belief behind this , that by doing such activity no one can face heat all over the year. For travellers too , the water is sprinkled on the roads. In old days there was a tradition to play in soil and water, but now a days this can only be seen in some of the Maithil villages. Due to summer, plants also need water time – to – time , so this festival also motivates the watering of plants and trees. Before one day of the festival ( Satuani ki raat ) Badi – Bhaat is being cooked in every one’ s home and it is being eaten the next day, the day of Jude Sheetal. On the festival day the kitchen and the gas – stove take rest, the day before food is being eaten.

2. Chauth Chandra

It is the exclusive festival of Mithila. Also known as Chaurchan is celebrated with all enthusiasm and positivity. In most of the places in India this day is celebrated as the day of Shidhivinayak Ganesh that is Ganesh Chaturthi. This festival falls in August / September.Worship of the moon God and Ganpati jee is being done for the welfare of the family. On this day the Puja is performed after day – long fasting by gents/ ladies of the family in evening when the Chandrma / moon is visible as well as when the chauth tithi is prevailing. The festival is mostly famous or popular among the localites because of the food also . The specialised include – curd( stored in new earthen pot), Curd is considered very special in this festival. cookies ( pedukiya ( gujiya), poori, fruits, kheer, khaja – laddoo ( local sweets) . These all are decorated in bamboo wicker shallow containers ( known as Daliya) . Ashtjal Airpan (Rangoli) is used for the Puja which is drawn in the courtyard under open sky .

3. Jitiya

Jitiya is a festival of all the great mothers of the Mithlanchal and celebrated by each and everyone of the family. It is celebrated in september . The mothers keep fast for their children’s good and long life. The fast is considered very difficult as it is three days of fast and it is kept drinking without a drop of water. First day is Nahaye- khaye (Saptmi) . One this day one can take food only one time after bathe and then fast for the whole day. Second day is Jitiya Nirjala Vrat (Ashtmi). Third day is Paran ( Navmi) . In the third day of fast there is a tradition to serve the poors . On the third day ladies worship Jitiya Mata at the bank of river. Ornaments, Sindoor is gifted to Mata Jitiya as per the ritual. There is special food eaten in this festival . Marwa Roti( Ragi chapati) Nuni Saag ( leafy vegie)Maachh( Local fish ) .

4.Anant Puja/ Anant Chaturdashi

Anant Chaturdashi is celebrated in Chaturthi tithi of Shukla Paksh of Bhadrapad maas , mostly in August/ september. It falls ten days after Ganesh Chaturthi . God Vishnu is being worshipped in this festival. In Mithila it is celebrated with its own ritual and it has its own charm. 14 tilaks ( small vertical strips ) of vermillion are made on a wooden plank and 14 Pua( deep fried sweet wheat bread ) are placed on a vermillion strips. A bowl containing Panchamrit of milk, curd, jaggery, honey and and ghee . A thread with 14 knots , symbolizing Lord Anant wrapped on a cucumber and is swirled five times in this ‘ocean of Milk ‘ . Later, this Anant thread is tied on the right arm above the elbow by men. Women tie this on their left arm . This Anant thread is removed after 14 days .

5. Sama Chakeva

Sama Chakeva is exclusively celebrated in Mithila only. It is the festival of Brothers and Sisters. It is celebrated in the month of November . It starts from the night of Chhath Puja and it continues till Kartik Purnima. This festival includes folk theatre and folk songs. It celebrates love between brothers and sisters. Sisters assemble near the ghats of Chhath with a basket containing small idols of Sama Chakeva , candles and clay. All sing traditional songs , perform some rituals like exchanging baskets. On the day of Kartik Purnima ( end day of this festival) sisters take a dip in river and the idols are immersed in the river . The festival is celebrated by the sisters for their brother’s long and prosperous life. The belief behind the festival says the story of Sama a daughter of Krishna who had been falsely accused of wrong doing. Her father punished her by turning her into a bird , but the love and sacrifice of her brother Chakeva eventually allowed her to regain human form.

6. Sapta Dora

Sapta Dora is a festival celebrated by the ladies of Mithila . It starts the day after Holi (the day after Purnima / full moon) in the month of February or March and ends on the last sunday of Baisakh. Every sunday , women keep fast and listen to the folk tales (katha) associated with this festival. In the morning after holi wood woven basket filled with fruits and pakwaans(fried fritters) are decorated by the women of Mithila and Sapta Mai is worshipped by them. Fast is kept for following sundays but the stories can be shared with just a little dhoob (grass) in hand. On the last sunday , the prayer ceremony is just as celebrated as the first , when the baskets are prepared once again and Puja idols are immersed to the river. Story telling, Alpana , Kalash, Sindoor , rice flitters, sprouted lentils, betel leaves, betel nut, coconut, banana shoots are the speciality of this festival. The festival is done for the welfare of the family.

These festivals are exclusively celebrated in Mithila only. Other than these , festivals like Devothaan Ekadasi , Narak Nivaran Chaturdashi, Makar Sankranti, Saraswati Puja, MahaShivratri, Indra Puja, Chhath puja , Bhatri – Dwitiya ( Bhai – dooj) Naag Panchami, Durga Puja, Diwali, Holi are also celebrated with great pump and show