Vat Savitri Vrat is an important ritual for married Hindu women which is observed either on ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) or ‘Amavasya’ (new moon day) in the month of ‘Jyeshtha’ in the traditional Hindu calendar. The fasting ritual begins on ‘Trayodashi’ (13th day) and ends on full moon or new moon day.
The Narada Purana states that Vat Savitri Vrat can be observed on both Jyestha Amavasya and Jyeshtha Purnima, called Vat Amavasya and Vat Purnima, respectively. However, the Skanda Purana mentions the tithi as Jyeshtha Purnima, while the Nirnayamrut mentions Jyeshtha Amavasya as the tithi for the fast.
Most of the Hindu festivals Purnimanta and Amanta fall on the same day in the lunar calendar, with only Vat Savitri Vrat being an exception. As per Purnimanta calendar, it is observed on ‘Jyeshtha Amavasya’ and is also celebrated as ‘Shani Jayanti’ while in Amanta calendar, Vat Savitri Vrat falls during ‘Jyeshtha Purnima’ and is known as ‘Vat Purnima Vrat’. ‘ is called. For this reason, married women in Gujarat, Maharashtra and the southern states of India observe Vat Savitri Vrat 15 days after women in the northern states celebrate. In the Gregorian calendar, Vat Savitri Vrat falls between the months of May-June.
Vat Savitri Vrat is observed by married Indian women for the well-being and long life of their husbands and children. According to Hindu legends it is said that on this day, Goddess Savitri forced Lord Yamaraja, the god of death, to return the life of her husband Satyavan. Lord Yamraj was so pleased with her devotion that he gave her back her dead husband. Since then, married women worship the ‘Vat’ (banyan) tree and Savitri is also worshiped as ‘Goddess Savitri’ on this day.
They seek blessings to keep their husband’s fortune and also pray for the growth of their family. Vat Savitri Vrat is celebrated all over India with immense joy and devotion.
Vat Savitri Vrat Katha
Once upon a time, a king named Ashwapati ruled in the kingdom of Bhadra. Despite being in his position, King Ashwapati had no children, due to which he was filled with sorrow.
The king performed elaborate rituals and chanted mantras every day for eighteen years, offering one lakh sacrifices in the hope of progeny. It was during this period that Savitri Devi appeared before him and granted a boon saying, “O king, there shall be born to you a bright daughter named Savitri.”
Grateful for this divine blessing, the king named his daughter Savitri. As she grew up, Savitri’s unique beauty attracted the attention of many, but her father struggled to find a suitable groom for her. Determined to find her own mate, Savitri sets out on a journey to find a suitable husband.
His wanderings took him to Tapovan, where he encountered King Dyumatsen of Salwa, who had lost his kingdom to an adversary. It was there that she caught sight of her son Satyavan and decided that he would be her life partner.
Upon learning of Savitri’s choice, sage Narada approached King Ashwapati and warned him, “O King, what are you doing? Satyavan is virtuous and strong, but his life span is short. He will pass away within a year.” “
King Ashwapati was very disturbed after hearing this sad news. When Savitri asks her father about his concerns, he reveals the truth, urging her to consider committing another suicide.
However, Savitri remained adamant saying, “Father, in the great traditions of our Aryans, a woman marries her husband only once. The orders of the king are given only once, and the priest only once during the marriage ceremony.” Sacred rituals are performed. Kanyadaan. The bride’s send off is also done only once.”
With her determination, Savitri insisted on marrying Satyavan. King Ashwapati, unable to dissuade her, gave his daughter in marriage to Satyavan.
On arrival at her new home, Savitri served her mother-in-law and father-in-law. As time passed, Narada Muni’s prophecy about Satyavan’s imminent death came closer. Savitri became increasingly worried, and three days before the predicted date, she began fasting and performed Pitru Puja as instructed by Narada Muni.
On that fateful day, just like any other day, Satyavan accompanied Savitri to the forest to collect firewood. When he climbed a tree to cut wood, Satyavan suddenly got an unbearable pain in his head and came down from the tree. Savitri knew the grim reality that lay ahead.
Savitri gently put Satyavan’s head on her lap and put him to sleep. The servants of Yamaraja, the god of death, came there to take Satyavan to the afterlife, but Savitri would not let him go. It was then that Yamraj himself appeared and began to take Satyavan with him, but Savitri followed him unperturbed.
Yamraj tries to pacify Savitri, explaining that this is the law of nature. However, Savitri refused to listen to him. Moved by Savitri’s unwavering loyalty and devotion to her husband, Yamraj granted her a boon saying, “O Goddess, you are truly blessed. Ask for whatever boon you wish.”
Savitri made three requests:
1) “Give divine light to my blind father-in-law and mother-in-law living in the forest,” he pleaded. Yamraj obliged and assured him that it would be done. However, Savitri continues her pursuit. Admiring her determination, he asked her to ask for one more boon.
2) Savitri requested, “Restore my father-in-law’s kingdom, which has been confiscated from him.” Yamraj also gave him this boon while urging him to return. Still, Savitri remained adamant. Yamraj was moved by the courage of an ordinary man going after the posthumous for his husband and asked him to make one more wish.
3) Lastly, Savitri asked for a boon of hundred children and prosperity. Yamraj fulfilled his wish because he could not refuse him.
Savitri then addressed Yamraj, saying, “Lord, I am a devoted wife, and you have given me the boon of a hundred children. Therefore this boon cannot be fulfilled without my husband.” Impressed by his unwavering dedication, Yamraj relents and revives Satyavan. As Savitri and Satyavan happily returned to their kingdom, they found that both sets of parents had attained divine knowledge. Thus, Savitri and Satyavan ruled their kingdom happily ever after, experiencing eternal bliss and prosperity.
On the day of Vat Savitri fast, women get up before sunrise. They bathe with ‘gingli’ (sesame seeds) and ‘amla’ (Indian gooseberry). After bath, women wear new clothes, wear bangles and apply vermilion on their forehead. The root of Vat or Banyan tree is eaten with water. Women who observe this fast for three days eat only roots for three days.
The women then worship the ‘Vat’ tree by tying a yellow or red colored thread around the tree. They then offer water, flowers and rice as a part of the puja. Finally the women circumambulate the trees, which is known as ‘Parikrama’ and offer prayers while doing so.
Those who cannot find or visit the banyan tree can also make a picture of the banyan tree on a wooden plate or plate with turmeric or sandalwood paste. This is how worship is done and special dishes are prepared on Vat Savitri Vrat. After the puja these preparations are distributed among friends and families. On the day of Vat Savitri Vrat, women take blessings from elders and married women in the house.
Doing charity and charity on Vat Savitri fast is also very fruitful. On this day people generously donate money, food and clothes to the poor and needy.
The untold glory of Vat Savitri Vrat is mentioned in several Hindu Puranas like ‘Bhavishyottar Purana’ and ‘Skanda Purana’. On Vat Savitri Vrat, devotees worship the ‘Vat’ or Banyan tree. According to Hindu mythology, the banyan tree is a symbolic representation of the ‘Trimurti’ i.e. Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.
The roots of the tree represent Lord Brahma, the trunk symbolizes Lord Vishnu and the top part of the tree is Lord Shiva. Apart from this, the whole ‘Vat’ tree is the symbol of ‘Savitri’. Women keep a holy fast on this day to ensure the safety of their husbands and also pray for their good fortune and success in life.