Search This Blog

VataSavitri Vrata

Significance

VataSavitri Pooja or VataSavitri vrata is an auspicious day in Hinduism when married women observe fast and pray for their husband's health and longevity. The fasting is named after Savitri, who brought back her husband from the clutches of Yama (death). One of the important rituals of the day is tying threads on Vata (banyan) tree.

The fasting is observed for three days and begins two days prior to poornima or amavasya in Jyesta (June – July).

The fasting takes its name from Vata Vriksha (Banyan Tree) and Savitri. The Banyan Tree is symbolically represented as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The root of Vat Vriksha is Brahma, the stem is Vishnu and the upper part is Shiva. On the pooja day, the Banyan tree also symbolically represents Savitri and the incident mentioned in the Mahabharata.

Legend

Princess Savitri, the daughter of King Aswapati of Bhadra Kingdom, fell in love with Satyavan, a woodcutter. But Satyavan was destined to die within a year and Savitri was made aware of this fact by Rishi Narada. But Savitri decided to get married to Satyavan and live with him in the forest.

As predicted, Satyavan fell from a tree and died within a year. Yama, the god of death, arrived to carry him away. Savitri made it clear to Yama that she will follow Yama along with her husband. Yama tried several ways to deter Savitri from following him but all his efforts were in vain and Savitri remained adamant.

Finally, Yama was moved by Savitri’s devotion and he brought back Satyavan to life.

It is believed that Satyavan spend his last moments under a Vat or Banyan tree on the full moon day in month of Jyesta. And Yama appeared here and Savitri pleaded with Yama under the Banyan tree. In memory of this event, women go round the Banyan tree for 108 times tying threads and fast for the health and longevity of their husbands.

Observance

VataSavitri Vrata Fasting is for three days and it begins on the Trayodashi day and ends on Amavasya or Poornima. Some sections of Hindu society observe the vrata during Amavasya and others during Poornima in the Hindu month of Jyesta (June – July). The fast is observed for three nights and is broken on the fourth day. Nowadays, many women only observe the fasting on the important day of Poornima.

To know how to observe Fasting?

There are no rigid rules regarding any Hindu fast. Pregnant women, those women having any ailments or diseases and those who have just delivered a baby usually skip this fasting and they just concentrate on prayers. Working women also avoid the fasting.

On the Trayodashi day, after morning activities, women apply paste of amala (Indian gooseberry) and gingli (sesamum) and take bath. Those observing three-day fast take a single meal on the day.

After this women eat the roots of Vata Vriksha (Banyan Tree) and drink water. In fact, for three days many women only eat just this. The same routine is repeated on the Chaturdashi day. At home, a painting of banyan tree is made on a plate or wood using sandalwood paste or turmeric. Poojas are done to the painting of banyan tree for three days. Special dishes are also prepared during the occasion. The routine is followed on the Trayodashi, Chatrudashi and Amavasya or Poornima. The fast is broken on the fourth day after offering water to moon and prayers to Savitri.

The final day pooja

It is a complete fast on this day which ends next day morning after sunrise. Women worship the Banyan Tree (Vat Vriksha). Women sit under a Banyan Tree, they then place seven different types of grain in a plate preferably made of bamboo. A murti of Brahma Savitri and Vata Savitri is kept on a red color cloth. Those who do not have the murti keep two pieces of turmeric. Then water, rice, diya, fragrance and flowers are offered as part of the pooja. After praying to the Banyan Tree, a red or yellow colored thread is tied around the tree. Women then go round the tree and chant prayers give above. The devotee has to go seven times around the tree. In some regions, devotees also pour milk seven times around the tree.

Apart from this all fasting women take the blessings of elders and other married women. Special dishes are prepared on the day and distributed among friends and relatives after the poojas. Many people also distribute food, clothes and money to the poor during VataSavitri.