Vat Savitri Puja, a significant Hindu festival observed on Jyeshtha Amavasya (new moon day in the Jyeshtha month), is a beautiful expression of love and devotion. On this day, married women observe a fast and perform puja (prayer rituals) seeking the longevity and well-being of their husbands.
The Enduring Story of Savitri and Satyavan
The festival draws inspiration from the legendary tale of Savitri and Satyavan. Savitri, a princess known for her unwavering devotion, falls in love with Satyavan, a prince cursed with a short life. Despite the warnings, Savitri chooses to marry him. True to the curse, Satyavan dies on their first wedding anniversary. Determined to save him, Savitri follows Yama, the God of Death, and pleads with him using her devotion and righteous conduct. Impressed by her love and strength, Yama grants Satyavan his life back.
Significance of the Banyan Tree
The puja revolves around the worship of the sacred Banyan tree. In Hinduism, the Banyan tree symbolizes immortality and eternal life. It’s believed to house the divine trinity – Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. By offering prayers and tying threads around the tree, women seek blessings for their husbands’ long life and marital bliss.
Vat Savitri Puja Vidhi (Rituals)
The puja rituals are simple yet hold deep meaning. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Preparation: On the day of the puja, women wake up before sunrise and take a holy bath. They then prepare a puja thali (plate) with essential items like a kalash (water pot), roli (vermillion), haldi (turmeric), sacred thread, incense sticks, earthen lamp, and offerings like fruits and sweets.
- Vrat (Fasting): Women observe a day-long fast, consuming only water or fruits during specific intervals.
- Puja at the Banyan Tree: Devotees visit a Banyan tree, preferably in the morning or during the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat. They offer prayers, circumambulate the tree seven times, and tie a sacred thread while chanting mantras.
- Katha (Storytelling): In the evening, women gather and listen to the recitation of the Vat Savitri Katha, which narrates the tale of Savitri and Satyavan.
- Breaking the Fast: After the puja and Katha, women break their fast with fruits and prasad (food offered to the deity). They also seek blessings from elders.
Muhurat for Vat Savitri Puja in 2024
In 2024, Vat Savitri Puja falls on June 6th. The auspicious Abhijit Muhurat for the puja is between 11:36 AM and 12:14 PM. However, puja can be performed throughout the day as long as it’s within the Amavasya tithi (lunar day).
Vat Savitri Puja is more than just a prayer for a husband’s long life. It’s a celebration of the unwavering love and commitment between a wife and husband. It’s a reminder of the strength and resilience women possess, and the power of their devotion.
