Married Maharashtrian women perform Jivti Puja on any
one of the Fridays in the month of Shravan (July-August). Jivti is an
incarnation of Parvati, a goddess who is believed to protect children.
Female members from the parental Maharashtrian women invite them for
lunch at home. Various sweets and delicacies, puran poli are the
must-serve at meals.
Roasted chana (chickpeas) mixed with milk and sugar is served to
married women along with the traditional offering of haldi and kumkum in
the evening after the puja. It is a tradition that married Maharashtrian
women personally apply haldi at the base and kumkum in the centre of the
forehead of other women on every auspicious occasion. This gesture is
not applicable to widows, divorcees and unmarried women. This tradition
is typically Maharashtrian.
Jiviti Puja is performed by married women in Maharashtra. Jiviti Puja is performed on any one of the Fridays in the month of Shravan (July-August).