KATHMANDU: President Ramchandra Paudel has extended best wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity to all Nepalis on the occasion of Jitiya Parva.

In a message of greetings, President Paudel has expressed confidence that the unique festivals like Jitiya make contributions to maintain and promote social unity and goodwill in the country.

In his message, the President said that the Jitiya like festivals have established distinct identities in Nepal that have ethnic, lingual, religious and cultural diversities and added that the festivals have created mutual respect, goodwill and tolerance by protecting Nepal’s diversities.

The Jitiya festival is celebrated by the women, especially of Tharu and Madhesi communities, wishing for good health and longevity of their children and family.

The festival falls on the seventh, eighth and ninth day of the waning moon (Krishna Pakshya) in the month of Ashwin in the lunar calendar. On the occasion of this festival, women devotees take a holy bath in nearby rivers, ponds, or lakes and making offerings to Lord Jitamohan and the departed ancestors.