President, Vice-President messages on Jitiya festival

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 25President Ramchandra Paudel said indigenous festivals such as
Jitiya festival would promote mutual respect, good will and sense of tolerance, thereby protecting diversity of the country.
Prez Paudel attends Indra Jatra Festival in Kathmandu
Festival protects
culture, ancient civilization: President Paudel
In his message on the occasion of Jitiya festival today, President Paudel called for all to unite for preserving peculiar Nepali cultural
heritage.The Head of the State underlined the need to continue the glory of such festivals in order to create an ideal social and cultural
environment and adopt a virtuous lifestyle. Jitiya festival is celebrated by the married women of Tharu and Madhesi
communities, especially in the Mithila region, by worshiping God for the longevity, good health, success and well-being of their offspring
and families.The festival falls on the eighth day of the waning moon (Krishna Pakshya) in the Nepali month of Ashwin as per the lunar
calendar.They feast on 'Ogatan' (delicacies) in the midnight of the previous day before observing a fast that bars even the consumption of
water
Prior to observing the fast, women devotees take a holy bath in nearby rivers, ponds or lakes.Meanwhile, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad
Yadav in his message on the occasion said, "The festivals we celebrate help us connect our customary values and norms to the present days
It also contribute to strengthen our family relations and consolidate social structures and unity".
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com