Vat Savitri is the Indian Hindu fasting day for married women who pray to the banyan tree in honour of Goddess Gauri and Satyavan-Savitri for fortune, well-being, long life and prosperity of their husbands and peaceful married life.
Devotees in Northern India follow the fast on the Jyeshtha Amavasya or dark moon day, whereas devotees in the Southern Indian states observe the fast on the Jyestha Purnima or full moon day. Married Hindu women dress up in a bridal garment with elegant jewellery and apply vermillion on the forehead after taking an auspicious bath.
They maintain a strict fast throughout the night and break it the next day when the Amavasya/Purnima is over. They offer water, rice, and flowers to the Banyan tree, sprinkle vermillion, tie the trunk of the tree with cotton threads and circumambulate the holy banyan tree 108 times.
The banyan tree represents three supreme deities of Hindu - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Legend says that Princess Savitri fell in love with Satyavan and was made aware of the news that Satyavan was destined to die within a year but she promised not to let him die. As predicted, one year later Satyavan died in the forest while cutting wood under a banyan tree and Yamraj came to collect his soul.
Savitri constantly begged for his life. Yamraj was impressed by the devotion of Savitri and gave back her husband’s life.
Thus it is believed that by observing this fast, married women are able to bring good luck and fortune for their husbands the way pious and committed Savitri brought her husband’s life back from the jaws of death.
Some Rituals followed during Vat Savitri Vrat
On the day of Vat Savitri Vrat, women get up before sunrise. They take a bath with ‘gingli’ (sesame seeds) and ‘amla’ (Indian gooseberry). After bath, women wear new clothes, bangles and apply vermillion on their forehead. The root of the ‘Vat’ or Banyan tree is eaten with water. Those women, who observe this fasting for three days, eat only the roots for the 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 puja. Finally women go around the trees, known as ‘parikrama’ and chant prayers while doing so.
Doing charity is also very rewarding on Vat Savitri Vrat. On this day, people generously donate money, food and clothes to the poor and needy.
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