Vat Savitri (Vat Purnima) 2024

Vat Savitri or Vat Purnima celebration is observed by married women, which includes observance of fasting called Vat Savitri Vrat, listening to Vat Savitri Vrat Katha followed by Vat Savitri Puja Vidhi.

This festival is celebrated to honour Savitri, a legendary figure known for her enduring devotion and determination, which brought her husband Satyavan back to life.

Vat Savitri or Vat Purnima is a traditional festival celebrated across India in different states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana.

This celebration of Vat Savitri or Vat Purnima is followed in Odisha/Orissa, Mithila region (India and Nepal) on the Amavasya (the no moon day that falls in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha as per Hindu calendar). The locals in the western Odisha region call Vat Savitri ‘Sabitri Uwaans’.

Meaning of Vat Savitri and why is Vat Savitri celebrated:

In India different regions follow different Calendars, North regions which includes Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar & Jharkhand follow Purnimanta Calendar where the month ends on a Purnima (Full Moon) other regions follow Amanta Calendar where the month ends on an Amavasya (New Moon). Usually, all festivals have the same dates as per the Purnimanta & Amanta calendar however Vat Savitri Vrat is an exception because as per the Purnimanta Calendar it is celebrated on Jyestha Amavasya whereas as per Amanta Calendar it is celebrated on Jyestha Purnima and this festival is also called Vat Purnima Vrat in those regions.

Vat Savitri (Vat Purnima) Tithi & Muhurat (Date & Time)

As per the Purnimanta Calendar

Vat Savitri Amavasya is on 5th June 2024
Amavasya Tithi Begins: 10:24 AM on 5th June 2024
Amavasya Tithi Ends: 8:37 AM 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 Ends: 6:37 AM on 22nd June 2024

If you are confused about which dates to follow, we recommend you follow the Purnimanta Calendar

Vat Savitri (Vat Purnima) Significance

In India, marriage holds a profound spiritual importance, symbolising a sacred bond that goes beyond numerous lifetimes. It is believed to be a divine connection between partners, entwined by destiny and encouraged by mutual devotion and commitment across many births. This sacred union is not just a social contract but a spiritual journey where two souls come together to fulfil their Dharma (duty) and evolve spiritually, supporting and uplifting each other through the cycles of life and beyond.

The story of Savitri and Satyavan can be found in the Vana Parva (Book of the Forest) section of the Markandeya Purana. References to this tale also exist in the Vishnu Purana and the Bhagavata Purana. While chapter and verse specifics may differ, these Puranic texts recount the significance of Vat Savitri and Savitri's devotion to her husband Satyavan.

In addition to the Markandeya Purana, Vishnu Purana, and Bhagavata Purana, the story of Savitri and Satyavan is also referenced in the Mahabharata, particularly in the Vana Parva and the Shanti Parva sections.

Furthermore, variations of the tale can be found in regional texts and folklore across India. These include works such as the Bengali epic 'Mahabharata' by Krittibas Ojha and various retellings in vernacular literature.

Hence, Vat Savitri Puja day or Vat Purnima day holds a special place in the hearts of millions of women from India and they systematically perform Vat Purnima Vidhi as prescribed in the Vat Savitri Vrat Katha.

Women observe fast and do Puja for following benefits:

• Devotion and Faithfulness: The festival symbolises the devotion, faithfulness, and love of a wife towards her husband. Savitri's commitment and determination are revered and celebrated.
• Longevity and Prosperity: Women observe this Vrat (fast) and perform rituals to pray for the long life, well-being, and prosperity of their husbands.
• Spiritual Strength: The story of Savitri is an attestation to the power of a devoted and determined soul, highlighting the spiritual strength and givingness of women.

Vat Savitri (Vat Purnima) Katha (Story)

The legend dates back to the times of Mahabharata. There lived a King named Ashvapati, the king of the Madra Kingdom who had everything but a child. Therefore, he and his Queen worshipped the sun God to seek his blessings. Subsequently, Lord Savitr/Surya appeared and blessed them with a daughter. The child's arrival made the royal couple beam with joy, and they named her Savitri in honour of the God who blessed them.

Savitri was a perfect example of devotion, determination, and loyalty. Her beauty was unmatched throughout the Kingdom. Her father struggled to find a suitable match for her as he thought no one could compliment his daughter.

Savitri set out to find a man suitable for marriage on her own and met Satyavan, son of the blind king Dyumatsena of Salwa Kingdom. Determined to marry him, Savitri returned home and found that Sage Narada (Narada Muni) had already informed Ashvapati about Savitri's choice and cautioned him by saying that Satyawan was short-lived. Therefore, Ashvapati asked Savitri not to marry Satyavan. But the princess insisted she would only get wedded to him.

Soon after getting married to Satyavan, Savitri looked after her in-laws and Satyavan very well. But, as days passed, Satyavan's day of death neared. And on the day he was destined to die, Savitri accompanied him to the forest to be by his side.

Soon after climbing a Banyan Tree in the forest, Satyavan fell on the ground with his head rested on Savitri's lap. And as he lay motionless, Savitri saw Yama Raj with his workers around. As soon as the messengers of Yama appeared on the scene to take away her husband, Savitri refused to hand her husband over to them. They could not take him away until the God of death Yama himself appeared. Yama Raj saw her matchless devotion, determination, spiritual knowledge and intelligence and offered her a boon.

She asked for eyesight and restoration for her father-in-law, a hundred children for her father, and a hundred children for herself and Satyavan.

Yama couldn't agree with her last wish. He was greatly impressed with her determination. Yet he was disturbed to see an earthly person had so much power to debate.

Her devotion, wits, and spiritual knowledge compelled Yama to grant Savitri’s demand to return to earth with her husband.

This entire episode happened under a Vat Vriksha/Banyan tree.

Therefore, the banyan tree (Vat tree or Vat Vriksha) has gained complete importance and is the centre of worship on Vat Savitri Purnima, Vat Savitri Vrat (fasting) and a very important part of Vat Savitri Puja Vidhi. The Vat Savitri Puja Vidhi includes listening to Vat Savitri Katha, which praises Savitri’s discipline, determination, loyalty, cleverness, and spiritual knowledge.

Vat Savitri Puja Vidhi & Puja Samagri:

Vat Savitri Puja is observed over three days with several rituals:
Puja Samagri:

• A vase full of water
• Moli (raw yarn)
• Roli, sindoor, Akshat
• Sweets
• Flowers, incense sticks, dhoop
• Bamboo basket and a bamboo fan
• Soaked chickpeas

Day 1:

• Preparation: On the first day, women traditionally clean their homes and surroundings. They gather necessary items for the puja, including sandalwood paste, a vase full of water, moli thread, sweets, soaked chickpeas, rice, incense sticks, flowers, and fruits.
• Drawing of Images: Using a paste made of sandalwood and rice, images of the Vat (banyan) tree, Savitri, Satyavan, and Yama are drawn on a wall or floor at home.
• Worship of Golden Engravings: Golden engravings or idols representing Savitri and Satyavan are placed in a tray of sand. They are worshipped with mantras, incense, and flowers.

Day 2:

• Fasting: Women observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food and water.
• Puja: In the morning, women perform a special puja dedicated to Savitri and Satyavan. They offer prayers, flowers, fruits, and light incense.
• Worship of Vat Tree: Outdoors, women visit a banyan tree, which symbolizes the divine couple's eternal love. They tie threads (molly) around the tree's trunk and offer copper coins as a symbol of prosperity and longevity for their husbands.

Day 3:

• Continued Fasting: Women continue their fast from sunrise to sunset.
• Puja: Another puja is performed in the morning, with prayers and offerings made to Savitri and Satyavan for their blessings and protection.
• Completion of Rituals: The fasting concludes at sunset. Women break their fast by consuming a simple meal, often consisting of fruits and sweets.
• Greeting: Throughout the day, women greet each other with blessings, saying 'जन्म सावित्री हो' ('Become a Savitri'), symbolizing their wishes for their husbands' long and prosperous lives.
  These rituals are observed with devotion and sincerity, symbolizing the timeless love and dedication portrayed by Savitri towards her husband Satyavan in Hindu mythology.

Vat Savitri Mantra:

अवैधव्यं च सौभाग्यं देहि त्वं मम सुव्रते।
पुत्रान् पौत्रांश्च सौख्यं च गृहाणार्घ्यं नमोऽस्तुते।।
यथा शाखाप्रशाखाभिर्वृद्धोऽसि त्वं महीतले।
तथा पुत्रैश्च पौत्रैश्च सम्पन्नं कुरु मा सदा।।

“Avaidhyam cha saubhagyam dehi tvam mam suvrate
Putraan pautranshchya saukhyam cha grihaanaarghya namostute
Yatha shakha-prashaakhaabhivridhhosi tvam mahitale,
Tatha putraishchya pautreshchya sampannam kuru ma sada”

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Vat Savitri (Vat Purnima) Vrat Vidhi (Fasting Rituals) & Significance:

On Vat Purnima, women fast for three days for their husbands, following Savitri's example. They draw pictures of a banyan tree, Savitri, Satyavan, and Yama with sandalwood-rice paste at home. Golden couple engravings are worshipped with mantras and Vat leaves, while outdoors, the banyan tree is honored with thread winding and copper coin offerings.

Observance of the fast ensures husbands' long and prosperous lives. Women greet each other with 'जन्म सावित्री हो' ('Become a Savitri'), believing it secures their husbands' well-being for seven lifetimes.

Observing the fast:
Women observe a strict fast, refraining from eating and drinking throughout the day from Sunrise to Sunset. Some may consume Fruits and Water, depending on their health conditions.

Concluding the Fast:
After the completion of the Puja and Arti, women break their fast by devouring in the Prasad (blessed food) offered during the Puja. They seek blessings from the elders and exchange prasad with other women.

Satsang (Sacred Community Devotional Gathering):
Often, women perform these rituals in groups, cultivating a sense of community and shared spiritual experience. In Hinduism such communities are called, “Sat-Sang” (community of spiritual likeminded people) This collective aspect reinforces the cultural and social bonds among families and communities.

By observing the Vat Savitri fasting rituals with devotion and sincerity, married women honour the timeless tale of Savitri, embodying the virtues of love, commitment, and spiritual strength.