Vat Savitri is a traditional festival celebrated by married women across India and is hugely celebrated in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Bihar. Vat Savitri is celebrated according to two Hindu lunar calendar – Amanta and Purnimanta. The Northern states of India follow Purnimanta while the Southern states follow Amanta calendar.
According to Amanta calendar Vat Purnima is celebrated during Jyeshtha Purnima which is on June 9, 2017. States like Maharashtra and Gujarat celebrate the festival a fort night later than that of Northern states. According to Purnimanta calendar Vat Savitri is celebrated during Jyeshtha Amavasya. In 2017, it was celebrated on May 25 which coincided with Shani Jayanti.
Significance
Vat Savitri Puja is celebrated by women for the longevity, well-being and prosperity of their husbands. It is considered as a symbol of love and devotion of wife to her husband. The festival is celebrated either on the full moon day or no moon day and is observed for three days and nights. Now women observe fast only on the main ritual day i.e. Amavasya or Purnima.
Muhurat
Tithi begins: June 8, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Tithi ends: June 9, 2017 at 6:39 pm
Significance of Banyan tree (Vat)
Banyan tree represents ‘Trimurtis’ i.e. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Which is further elaborated as, Brahma the root, Vishnu the stem and Shiva the rest of the tree. While the complete tree symbolises Savitri.
How to observe fast
There was a tradition to observe fast for three days before the actual festival day. While today most women fast only on the Vat Savitri Day. Savitri is worshiped on the day and Vat (banyan tree) has equal significance on the festival. Women wake up early in the morning, take a bath and get ready wearing all the accessories.
Women in groups move together to offer prayers to the banyan tree. Ganga water is poured and threads of red or yellow colour are tied around the tree chanting prayers. Priest performs the puja and narrates the story of Savitri and Satyavan. Soaked pulses, rice and fruits are offered as bhog. Women break the fast by eating those offerings. After completing all the rituals women seek blessings of their husbands and elder members of the family. There is also a tradition of donating food, clothes and money.
