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.