Vat Savitri Vrat (Barshait) – Vat Purnima (2022)

Vat Savitri Vrat (Barshait) 2022: Vat Savitri Vrat (Barshait) is a Hindu celebration observed by married women on the Amavasya Tithi of the Jeth month of the Hindu Lunar calendar in Nepal, North India, and in the Western Indian states of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and so on.

The celebration is based on the legend of Savitri and Satyavan as narrated in the epic Mahabharata. It is strongly believed that it will bring happy married life and good fortune for women.

Also Read: Importance of Teej Festival in Nepal – Haritalika Teej

Meaning of Vat Savitri

Vat is the Sanskrit term for a Banyan tree while ‘Savitri’ was the woman who fought against death to bring her husband back to life and hence the festival is named as ‚ÄėVat Savitri‚Äô. Vat Savitri is celebrated on the Vaishak Vaidya Chaturdashi Amavasya (no moon night) every year, as per the Hindu Purnimanta calendar. 

History

Savitri, the daughter of King Asvapati, married Satyavan who was cursed to die a year after his marriage. As one year of his marriage completed, Satyavan felt weak and died in the lap of his wife. Savitri did not accept this and rebelled to the God of death, Yamaraj. She went behind Yamaraj and pleaded to him to not take her husband away.

Impressed by the dedication of Savitri, Yama granted her three boons, but kept a condition in front of her “you’ll not ask for the life of Satyavan”. Then, Savitri wittily asked for 100 children of her and Satyavan. Surprised by her devotion Yamaraj granted her another boon and this time he didn’t keep any conditions and therefore Savitri asked for the life of her husband. 

Festival

Vat Savitri Vrat (Barshait) 2022: It is a Hindu festival celebrated strictly in Nepal, Northern and Western Indian states Goa, Gujarat, etc. The festival period is observed over three days, usually the 13th, 14th, and 15th days in the month of Jestha (May–June). Women observe a fast and tie threads around a banyan tree and pray for the well-being of their husbands.

Significance

Vat Savitri Vrat (Barshait) is observed by the Hindu women to ensure good health and long life of their husbands. Married women offer prayers to the Bargad tree. Acording to the Hindu Scriptures, Vat Vriksha (Banyan Tree) is considered to be the auspicious tree in the Sanatan Dharma and it is believed that the Trimurthi resides in that. According to the hindu Mythology, the Vat Vrikshan (Banayan tree) is considered to be long lived tree and due to its immortality, Vat Vriksha (Banyan tree) is also known as Akshay vat.

Puja Vidhi

Traditions And Culture

On the occasion of Vat Purnima, women keep a fast of three days for their husbands, as Savitri did. During the three days, pictures of a Vat (banyan) tree, Savitri, Satyavan, and Yama, are drawn with a paste of sandal and rice on the floor or a wall in the home.

The golden engravings of the couple are placed in a tray of sand, and worshiped with mantras (chanting), and Vat leaves. Outdoors, the banyan tree is worshiped. A thread is wound around the trunk of the tree, and copper coins are offered. Strict adherence to the fast and tradition is believed to ensure the husband a long and prosperous life.

During the fast, women greet each other with “जन्म सावित्री हो” (English: “Become a Savitri”). It is believed that until the next seven births their husband will live well.

In his book, B. A. Gupte provides a Pauranic excerpt to suggest that the mythology behind the festival is symbolic of natural phenomena. He notes that it is the representation of the annual marriage of the earth and nature represented by Satyavan and Savitri. It is like the way the earth dies every year and is rejuvenated by the powers of nature. He points out that the Vat tree was likely chosen due to the mythological aspects connected to the tree that are known to Indians.

In the present day, the festival is celebrated in the following way. Women dress in fine sarees and jewelry, and their day begins with the offering of any five fruits and a coconut. Each woman winds white thread around a banyan tree seven times as a reminder of their husbands. They fast for the whole day.

Read More

Also Read: Happy Chhath Puja 2022 | Know Everything about Chhath Puja

Also Read: Dashain 2022| Know Everything About Dashain This Year

Also Read: Diwali – The Festival of Lights | Happy Lakshmi Puja 2021