Vat Savitri Vrat, also known as Vat Purnima, is observed by married Hindu women in North and Western India. During this traditional festival, married women express their affection and love towards their husbands and marriage. The symbolic rituals that initiate the Vrat involve tying a sacred thread around a banyan tree while praying to God for their husband’s long life and prosperity. Rooted in the ancient tale of Savitri and Satyavan, Vat Savitri Vrat is seen celebrating during Jyeshtha Purnima (full moon day) or Jyeshtha Amavasya (no moon day). The festival denotes the Unwavering love and devotion of Savitri towards her husband Satyavan.
According to the Hindu calendar, Vrat Savitri is celebrated in the Jyeshtha Month (May/June), typically from the 13th day to the 15th. The starting day is observed on Jyeshtha Shukla Thrayodashi and the ending day is Jyeshtha Purnima. The 14th day falls on Jyeshtha Shukla Chaturdashi. If you are unable to fast for three days, you can observe the Vrat on the last day of the festival as mentioned in the scriptures. Vat Savitri mahurat or the Vrat Savitri timing, falls between early morning and evening.
This year, the Jyeshtha Amavasya is on June 6th, and Jyeshtha Purnima falls on June 21st. The time of Vat Savitri Puja depends on the time of sunrise and sunset times on these days. Vat Amavasya timing is observed from June 5th, 7:55 pm to June 6th, 6:07 pm. To know the timing in which you can observe the Vrat and understand your birth chart’s significance during the Vrat Savitri puja of 2024, you can consult verified astrologers through online astrology. These platforms offer services where you can Chat with astrologer and receive your detailed horoscope based on your birth chart. You Can talk to astrologer of your choice with the help of these websites. Online astrology advice is considered as accurate as advice from an astrologer you know personally.
Vat Savitri fast usually involves married Hindu women fasting during the days of Vat Purnima and Vat Amavasya. They start their fast on the 13th day of the Jyeshtha month and end it on Purnima or Amavasya, depending on the instance of the Jyeshtha month they celebrate the festival, either the Purnima (full moon day) or Amavasya (no moon day).
Women get up early in the morning, usually before sunrise, to take baths with sesame seeds and amla. After wearing new clothes and bangles kept for this special day, women start the puja rituals by tying a red or yellow thread around the banyan tree, watering the tree, and chanting mantras. In some parts of the country, women eat the roots of the banyan tree as a traditional ritual.
If you are unable to find a banyan tree in your area, you can make a portrait of the same on wood using sandalwood paste or turmeric to perform all the rituals. Tying the sacred thread can be done while chanting the mantras appropriately to receive blessings. Special pujas for married couples are also common in various parts of India. After returning home from puja, women prepare special dishes and sweets to distribute among family and friends. After the puja and prasad distribution, women seek blessings from the elderly. Charity and Annadan during Vat Savitri Vrat are believed to invite abundant blessings in married life
According to Hindu scriptures, Savitri compelled the God of Death, Yamaraja, to return her husband Satyavan’s life. Pleased with her devotion, Yamaraja granted her wish, along with the blessings of a hundred children. The story unfolds in the Mahabharata era, where Savitri chooses Satyavan as her husband despite warnings of his impending death within a year. On the day of Satyavan’s predicted demise, Savitri followed him to work. When the time arrived, she refused to give her husband to Yama and started fasting by cradling Satyavan’s body under a banyan tree. Satyawan awakened after Savitri’s wishes were fulfilled by Lord Yamaraja, who also blessed Satyavan’s father with restored eyesight and their lost kingdom. The banyan tree is included in the Vat Savitri Vrat pujas and rituals observed by women because of its significance, in the story, representing Savitri’s unconditional love.
Vat Savitri is typically celebrated in Maharashtra, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat.
