Jhijhiya

Jhijhiya (also called Jhijhari) is a cultural folk dance of Mithila region of India and Nepal. It is performed during the Dusshera festival, in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September/October). The dance is performed to offer devotion towards goddess Durga—the goddess of victory as well as to protect one's family, children and society from witches and dark magic.

It is performed for ten consecutive evenings, from the day of Ghatasthapana to Bijaya Dashami, by women and girls, in a group of five to fifteen, by placing earthen pitcher on their head and dancing in a rotation manner. Inside the pitcher a fire lamp is place and multiple holes are made on the pitcher. It is believed that if a witch is successful in counting the holes on the pitcher, the dancer dies immediately.