Bihar shocker: 43 people including 37 children drown during Jivitputrika festival

The water levels in rivers and ponds had increased in the past few days due to incessant rains.

37 children drowned

According to a statement issued by the state's Disaster Management Department (DMD) on Thursday, "A total of 43 bodies have been recovered so far. Further search operation is on."

Out of the 43 dead, 37 were children and seven were women, said reports.

Last October too during the same festival, as many as 22 people, including 15 children drowned within 24 hours in separate incidents in Bihar.

According to reports, the authorities usually have police officers and divers to ensure the safety of the devotees as they venture into the water. But it is not clear what safety measures were taken in Bihar.

Fatal stampedes occur frequently at Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas with few crowd control or safety measures. But large-scale drownings are not so common in India. In July this year, over 100 people were crushed to death at a Hindu religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh and dozen others wounded. The stampede happened after the guru Bhole Baba had wrapped up his talk and was leaving the venue.

The Jivitputrika festival

During the 'Jivitputrika vrat' festival, which is an annual affair, women fast for the well-being of their children. It is celebrated primarily in north India, in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, as well as in neighbouring Nepal.

It is rich in rituals and traditions as the women observe a stringent fast for 24 hours. They offer special prayers to Jimutavahana and Lord Surya for the long life and good health of their children. The Jitiya Vrat Katha, the popular story of King Jimutavahana’s selflessness, who urged Garuda to bring dead children he had eaten to life again, is recited to bring blessings for the longevity and well-being of children.

During their fast, the women go down to the rivers and ponds in their neighborhood to bathe and they are often accompanied by their children..

• The Jitiya Vrat Katha, the popular story of King Jimutavahana’s selflessness, is recited to bring blessings for the longevity and well-being of children.

The 24-hour long fast is broken the next day in the morning after offering prayers to Lord Surya and then consuming traditional dishes prepared for the occassion.

Ex-gratia announced

The incidents of drowning on Wednesday were reported from East and West Champaran, Nalanda, Aurangabad, Kaimur, Buxar, Siwan, Rohtas, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Gopalganj and Arwal districts.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an exgratia of ₹4 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.