Vat Savitri - The Story of Love & Devotion
Vat Savitri is a Hindu festival which is celebrated all over the country by Indian Women. On this day, women observe fast for the long lives of their husbands. They also pray to obtain the blessings of the Vata Vriksh (the Banyan Tree). In several parts of the country, Vat Savitri puja is considered equivalent to the Karwa Chauth Vrat.
“Vat” is a Sanskrit word meaning Banyan tree, whereas “Savitri” was a woman who fought against death to bring her dead husband back to life. Hence, this festival is named as “Vat Savitri”.
When is Vat Savitri Festival Celebrated?
Vat Savitri Festival is primarily celebrated on the Vaidya Chaturdashi Amavasya (no moon night) in the lunar month of Vaishak, as per the panchang. However, in the Southern part of India, this festival is celebrated on the Purnima (full moon night) of the same month.
As per the Gregorian Calendar, Vat Savitri Amavasya will be celebrated on May 30, 2022 and Vat Savitri Purnima will be celebrated on June 14, 2022.
Why is Vat Savitri Festival Celebrated?
Vat Savitri Festival is celebrated to honour the love and devotion of women towards their husband. On this day, women all over the country observe fast and pray to the Vat Vriksha (Banyan Tree) for the long life of their husband and stability of their household.
Historical Significance of Vat Savitri
This celebration of this festival, find its reason in one of the most famous stories that has been told for generations, the story of Satyavan and Savitri.
According to the story, Savitri was the daughter of King Ashvapati. She was married to Satyavan, who was cursed to die one year after the marriage. When the time came, Satyavan felt weak and passed away in the lap of his wife. Savitri did not accept the death of her husband and rebelled against Yamraj about this misfortune. She pleaded to Yamaraj to not take her husband away.
Yamraj tested her devotion and dedication and became impressed with Savitri. He granted her 3 boons, but kept a condition that she will not ask for the life of Satyavan. Then, Savitri asked for the boon of 100 children of her and Satyavan. Yamraj got further impressed with her intelligence and finally granted her wish and brought her husband back to life.
Preaching the commitment and love for her husband that Savitri entitled, married Hindu women celebrate the festival of “Vat Savitri” every year.
Significance of Vat Vriksha
“Vat Vriksha” also known as the Banyan Tree, has been considered sacred in the Hindu Religion. The Banyan Tree is one of the longest living trees in the Indian Sub-Continent. It is also considered the epitome of the stability in the Hindu Culture.
Since, the Banyan tree is the symbol of long life and stability. It is worshiped on this day and the women pray to the tree in order seek the blessing of long life for their husbands and stability for their respective households.
Vat Savitri Pooja Vidhi
Pooja Samagri List
- Vat Savitri Yantra
- Satyavan-Savitri Photo
- Panchamrit preparation : Honey, Milk, Yogurt, Sugar, Ghee
- Vat Savitri Vrat Katha Book
- Camphor, Cardamom, Betel Nut, Kesar, Sandalwood Powder, Turmeric Powder, Vermillion, Almonds, Druva, Perfume, Incense Sticks, Fruits, Sweets, Flowers, Coconut, Mango Leaves, White Cloth, Kalava, Kachcha Sooti Dhaga, Soaked grain (Kala Chana) and GangaJal.
How to Perform Pooja at Home
- Wake up early and bathe, preferably adding some GangaJal to bathwater.
- Wear clean, new clothes, apply heena on the hands, get dressed in your best finery and adorn yourself with solah shringar.
- Light dhoop, deep and agarbatti.
- Offer your salutations to Lord Ganesha before beginning the puja.
- Offer Haldi and Kum Kum to the Banyan tree.
- Make a Swastika our of Haldi, Roli (Kum Kum) and Akshat (graings of rice) before the tree.
- Take a small bundle/roll of kachcha sooti dhaga and go around the tree (parikrima) – tying the thread around the tree trunk.
- Offer a grain of Chana at the base of the tree.
- Offer Panchamrit and fruits at the base of the tree.
- Sit down before the Vat tree and read the Vrat Katha.
- Conclude the puja by doing namaskar or bowing before the deities.