Vat Savitri Vrat (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Vat Savitri Vrat is a Hindu fasting and prayer ritual observed by married women for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. It is dedicated to Savitri, a legendary figure known for her devotion and determination to bring her husband back to life. The vrat involves worshiping a banyan tree (Vat) and performing rituals.
This vrat (fast) is dedicated to the legendary figure Savitri, known for her unwavering devotion and determination to bring her husband back to life.
Date of Vat Savitri Vrat 2024
As per the Purnimanta Calendar
Vat Savitri Amavasya is on 6th June 2024
Amavasya Tithi Begins 7:54 PM on 5th June 2024
Amavasya Tithi End 6:07 PM on 6th June 2024
As per the Amanta Calendar
Vat Savitri Purnima is on 21st June 2024
Purnima Tithi Begins 7:32 AM on 21st June 2024
Purnima Tithi End 6:37 AM on 22nd June 2024
The puja is typically calculated based on local sunrise and sunset timings, as well as the position of the moon.
Amavasya Tithi: The vrat is observed on the Amavasya (new moon day) in the month of Jyeshtha.
Local Sunrise to Sunset: The rituals are performed during the daytime, from sunrise to sunset. The exact timing for the puja may vary depending on the local time zone and location.
Puja Vidhi (Rituals)
Preparation: (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Fasting: Women begin their fast from sunrise. Some might consume fruits and milk, while others may observe a nirjala vrat (without water).
Bathing and Dressing: Early in the morning, women take a ritualistic bath and dress in traditional attire, preferably in auspicious colors like red or yellow.
Gathering of Materials: (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Offerings: Fruits, flowers, rice, turmeric, kumkum (vermilion), sandalwood paste, and sweets.
Sacred Thread: A thread to tie around the banyan tree.
Kalash (Pot): Filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut.
Puja Process: (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Worshiping the Banyan Tree: (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
- Clean the area around the banyan tree.
- Decorate the tree with flowers and apply turmeric and sandalwood paste.
- Tie the sacred thread around the tree while circumambulating it, usually three or seven times, depending on local customs.
- Offer water to the tree roots.
- Offerings and Prayers:
- Place the offerings (fruits, flowers, rice, sweets) at the base of the tree.
- Light incense sticks and a lamp (diya).
- Recite prayers and mantras dedicated to Savitri and the banyan tree. Specific mantras include the Savitri Vrat Katha, which narrates the story of Savitri and Satyavan.
Recite prayers and mantras dedicated to Savitri and the banyan tree. Specific mantras include the Savitri Vrat Katha, which narrates the story of Savitri and Satyavan.
Vat Savitri Vrat (Savitri-Satyavan) Katha: (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Read or listen to the story of Savitri’s devotion and her interaction with Yama. This is an integral part of the vrat, reinforcing the values and significance of the observance.
In the era of Satyug, there lived a king and queen who had no children. After several efforts, they came across a very powerful Sage. He blessed them with the boon of having a son but later discovered that the couple was cursed by a God in their previous life. To neutralize his blessings he modified his boon! The son would be born; but then would live for a very short span.
Sad and broken the King and the queen returned to their palace. After a few days, the queen gave birth to a very handsome and intelligent son whose name was “Satyavan”. Fate defeated the king and the queen again and they lost their kingdom to their enemy. They started living in a forest.
Once a beautiful princess named Savitri had come to the forests for a visit and discovered a handsome man cutting wood. She fell in love with him and inquired about his whereabouts. Although she was aware of his short life span, She immediately returned back to the palace and insisted her parents to make her marry him. The day came when the two souls came together and Savitri and Satyavan got married.
Savitri left all the luxuries and started living with Satyavan in the forests. Being aware of the early death of her husband, she used to pray with a lot of dedication to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Days passed by, and the day came when Satyvan had to leave.
Savitri always used to accompany her husband to the woods for his work in the fear that he would die. One fine day, when Satyavan was chopping a tree, he had a deep pain in his heart and died.
Savitri broke down when he saw a dark shadow coming near and realized that it was Lord Yama. She pleaded him to give back the life of Satyavan. She said, “Take my life along with him, else I’ll not let you take him.”
This impressed Lord Yama and he offered her 3 wishes. Savitri was known for her witty nature since childhood. She was smart and intelligent enough to always take the right decisions. Below are her three wishes!
- First – She asked for the eyesight of her mother and father in law. They had gone blind after they started residing in the woods.
- Second – She asked back for the lost kingdom of Satyavan
- Third – She wished to have 100 sons in the upcoming days.
Lord Yama was already impressed and hence he did not hesitate in granting the three wishes. Then he said, “Now, dear lady, let me take your husband’s soul with me”.
She smiled back and said; ” Oh Lord, you have granted me the wish of giving birth to 100 sons. Now, how is it possible without the presence of my husband?”
Lord Yama got confused, but in reply granted them the boon of living for 400 years happily. He said that “In future, the married ladies who keep fast on this day, and pray a banyan tree, will get the boon of longer life for their husbands.“
So what do we learn from this? Savitri’s dedication and love for her husband did something which was impossible. Similarly, we can achieve anything when we dedicate a lot of hard work and wit to it. (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Concluding the Puja:
Aarti: Perform aarti (waving of lighted lamps) around the banyan tree.
Prasad Distribution: Distribute the offerings as prasad (blessed food) among family members and other participants.
Breaking the Fast: The fast is typically broken after the puja rituals are completed, often with prasad. (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Regional Variations
Vat Savitri Vrat is particularly popular in North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, and in the western state of Maharashtra. There may be slight variations in the way the vrat is observed based on regional customs. (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Significance of Savitri Amavasya Fasting
Savitri Amavasya, also known as Vat Savitri Vrat, is a significant observance for married Hindu women. The fasting and rituals performed on this day are deeply rooted in the legendary story of Savitri and Satyavan, emphasizing themes of devotion, loyalty, and the sacred bond of marriage. (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Marital Bliss and Longevity:
- Women fast and perform rituals for the well-being and longevity of their husbands.
- The fast is a form of prayer for a harmonious and enduring marital relationship.
Symbolism of the Banyan Tree:
- The banyan tree (Vat) represents longevity, stability, and resilience, mirroring the qualities desired in marriage.
- Tying threads around the tree and performing rituals under its shade symbolizes the hope for a long-lasting and strong marital bond. (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Empowerment Through Devotion:
- The story of Savitri showcases a woman’s strength, determination, and devotion.
- It inspires women to embrace these virtues in their own lives and marriages. (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Cultural and Community Bonding:
The vrat fosters a sense of community among women as they gather to perform rituals together.
It reinforces cultural traditions and shared values. (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Savitri Vrat Katha (The Story of Savitri and Satyavan)
Summary of the Story:
Savitri’s Birth and Marriage:
Savitri, a princess, was known for her exceptional beauty and virtue.
She chose Satyavan, a noble prince living in exile in the forest, as her husband, despite knowing that he was destined to die within a year of their marriage. (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Satyavan’s Death:
On the fateful day, as predicted, Satyavan fell unconscious and died while chopping wood in the forest.
Yama, the god of death, came to take Satyavan’s soul.
Savitri’s Devotion and Wisdom:
Savitri followed Yama, pleading for her husband’s life.
Impressed by her unwavering devotion and wise arguments, Yama granted her three boons, excluding the life of her husband.
Savitri cleverly used the boons to secure Satyavan’s life and their future together, ultimately persuading Yama to return Satyavan’s soul. (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
Restoration of Satyavan’s Life:
Yama, moved by Savitri’s dedication and intelligence, revived Satyavan.
They returned to their hermitage, and Satyavan regained his health and strength.
Moral and Lessons:
Devotion and Loyalty: Savitri’s unwavering commitment to her husband exemplifies the ideal of marital devotion.
Wisdom and Strength: Her intelligent and persistent approach to saving her husband highlights the strength and resourcefulness of women.
Power of Determination: The story demonstrates that determination and faith can overcome even the most challenging obstacles.
Conclusion
Vat Savitri Vrat and the accompanying Savitri Vrat Katha hold profound significance for married Hindu women. The fasting, rituals, and the story of Savitri and Satyavan together emphasize the virtues of devotion, loyalty, and resilience in marriage. By observing this vrat, women pray for the well-being and longevity of their husbands, reinforcing their marital bond and embracing the exemplary qualities of Savitri. (Vat Savitri Vrat 2024)
What was the name of Savitri’s Father?
Savitri was the beautiful daughter of King Aswapati of Madra Desa
What was the name of Savitri’s Husband?
Savitri’s Husband name was “Satyavan”
What can we eat in Vat Savitri Vrat?
Majority of women prefer to drink water only during the fast and some other eat satvik food, fruits for energy.
Which tree is worshiped in Vat Savitri Pooja.
Banyan Tree
