Jhijhiya (also called Jhijhari) is a cultural folk dance of Mithila region[1] of India and Nepal.

[3] 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.

It is believed that if a witch is successful in counting the holes on the pitcher, the dancer dies immediately.

The king was hesitant against that treatment but since he loved his wife and wanted to save her life, he ordered the soldiers to kill Balruchi and bring his blood.

Since, Balruchi was hungry and needed a shelter, he asked some food and a place to stay for the night with that woman.

A search for a man was made in the forest for another palanquin carrier and Balruchi was found.

The ritual was then adopted by the regular people too, who started performing them for the protection of their offspring and family.

It is believed that the ritual was initiated to reduce the influence of the witches' magic upon one's family.

[9] After dancing at a holy site on the first day of Dusshera, Jhijhiya formally begins.

The dancers then ask the owner of the house for grains and food for the offering on the final day.

On the day of Vijayadashami, final prayers are performed and the collected grains and money is used to organize a feast.

[11][12] A verse of Jhijhiya song in Maithili language, with the English translation, is given below: Tohare bharose Brahama Baba, Jhijhiya banailiai ho Brahma Baba Jhijhari par hoinyoun asawar.