| SAVITRI VRAT |
at Purnima Vrat is the Indian Hindu fasting day for the 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 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. These lovely married women are determined to remain loyal to their spouse and cherish being with their present husband even in the next birth. Vat Savitri Vrat is, thus, the symbol of dedication and commitment to marital bliss.. |
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| Savitri was the daughter of King Ashvapati, married to the Satyavan who was cursed to die a year after the marriage. After one year of marriage, Satyavan felt weak and passed away in the lap of her wife. Savitri does not accept his death and rebels with Yamraj about this misfortune. She pleaded to Yamraj to not take her husband away. Yamraj became impressed with the dedication of Savitri and granted her three boons, but kept a condition that she will not ask for the life of Satyavan. Then, Savitri asked for the 100 children of her and Satyavan. Yamraj once again impressed by Savitri and granted her another boon but without any condition. Finally, Savitri asked for the life of her husband.The banyan tree represents three supreme deities of Hindu- Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Married women observe Vat Savitri Vrat for three days and begins two days prior to the Amavasya or Purnima in the Jyestha month. 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.On this auspicious day, women take a holy bath in the morning. This holy bath is considered to be the purification of mind and body. Married women who wish to conduct this vrat and puja, wear new colourful clothes, bright bangles, and apply vermillion on the forehead. They put one leaf of Banyan on their hair. Women also offer Nine types of fruits to the Goddess Savitri. Wet pulses, rice, mangos, jackfruits, palm fruits, kendu, bananas and several other fruits are offered as Bhoga (offering) and the rest of the day is observed with Savitri Vrat Katha. Once ladies complete their vrat, they consume the Bhogal and take blessings from the husband and the elders in the family.
It is believed that Vat Savitri Vrat blesses married Hindu women with a better life and good fortune. If a married Hindu woman observes the fast with devotion, she will be able to bring good luck, long life, and prosperity for her husband. Women performing all the rituals of Vat Savitri Vrat, enjoy a happy and peaceful married life. |
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