Are you struggling with ups and downs in your married life? Then, Vat Savitri Puja is for you.
Namaste!
Today, we are going to fill your spiritual quest on Vat Savitri Puja. We are having Vat Savitri Puja on 6 June 2024. It is an auspicious Hindu Festival. Introducing you to Vat Savitri Puja aka Barsati Mawas in this blog.
Introducion to Vat Savitri Puja
Vat Savitri is derived from mixing of two Hindi words vat and savitri. Vat means banyan tree and Savitri is the name of woman, symbol of pativrata (epitome of wifehood). She was a chaste woman, regarded as one of the ideal wife in Hindu mythology. In Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, it is popularly known as Barsati Mawas Asia falls on Amavasya in Rainy seasons.
Infact, married women observe fast on this day for the well being of their husband and children.
Date of Vat Savitri Puja 2024
Contrarily, people in northern India celebrate Vat Savitri Puja on amavasya (full moon) while in southern India people perform Vat Savitri Puja on purnima (new moon).
In particular, vat savitri puja is celebrated on Amawasya of Jyestha mas of Hindu panchang. This year, we have Vat Savitri Puja on 6 June 2024 for Amavasya and Purnima Vat Savitri Puja is on 21 June 2024.
Significance of Vat Savitri Puja
Above all, this puja is performed with great devotion and dedication. Especially married woman observe fast and perform puja to pray for good health and longevity of her husband.
Certainly, this puja has relevance to each and every hindu family.
Specifically, along with Satyawan-Savitri, banyan tree is worshipped and woman ties the rakshakavach around it.
Likewise, this puja is performed for bringing in the good luck, fortune and good married life.
Moreover, it symbolises loyalty, dedication and commitment towards husband.
The Importance of Banyan Tree
Banyan tree holds utmost place in Hinduism. You will find the mention of banyan tree in many ancient text and sermons.
And, Banyan tree is considered as a symbol of trinity of gods. Trinity of gods includes Lord Brahma (the creator), Lord Vishnu (the preserver) and Lord Shiva (the destroyer).
Further more, Banyan tree is also called akshyvat. It is called the tree of wisdom and knowledge.
Eventually, the three parts of Banyan tree denotes the three gods of hinduism. Although, the roots of Banyan tree are representation of lord Brahma, stem represents lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva represents the upper part of the tree.
However, Banyan tree is associated with life and fertility. Hindu women presents offerings to Banyan tree to have children. They also worship Banyan tree for well being and good health of their husbands.
Simaltaneously, it is scientifically proved that Banyan tree gives us oxygen for 20 hours.
Besides, it is considered as a tree of knowledge. Many legends like Buddha and many sages got enlightenment under banyan tree.
For this purpose, we will be discovering different aspects of Banyan tree in our upcoming blogs.
Legends of Vat Savitri Puja
As per Hindu epic, Mahabharata, Satywan- Savitri are epitome of marriage and its piousnress.
Once, there was king named Asvapati. He did not have any children for long from his marriage. He was disheartened by his childless marriage, he prayed to lord Sun, Savitr. Lord Savitr was pleased by his prayers and blessed him with a boon. Soon a girl child was born to king.
King named her Savitri, after the Sun god, Savitr. She was ascetic from her childhood. Savitri was an example of devotion and loyalty.
Savitri on her own set out to find a suitable match for her and met Satyawan. Satyawan was the only son of blind king, Dyumatsena.
On this, sage Narad Muni warned her father about the short life of Satyawan. Despite of constant denials from her father, Savitri refuse to change her decision to marry Satyawan.
Further, Savitri married Satyawan and started living a simple life in jungle with her blind parents in-laws and husband, Satyawan.
Later, after a year, while seating under the banyan tree, Satyawan was cutting woods and fell down. It was his death time as predicted.
On this, Savitri kept his head in her lap. As per death summon, messengers of death came to request her to send him to God of death, Yama. She refused to hand over her husband to them.
Apparently, Yama came over to take over his prana. She walked behind him. After constant refusal Yama asked her to go back. She continued walking after him.
For her, life of Satyawan was priceless. Yama asked her for boon. Savitri asked Yama to grant her with 100 brothers.
Yama said tathastu (granted). He started his journey again while lifting the body of unconscious Satyawan. She was still walking. This time Yama asked her for one more boon and stop chasing. Now, she asked for eye sight for her blind parents in- laws. Yama agreed and blessed her in -laws with eyesight.
Despite of denials, she started again walking after him. This time, Yama granted her one more boon with a condition, she will not ask for prana of Satyawan. This time she asked for 100 sons. He accepted and said Tathastu.
And, again she started chasing him. Yama got furious and scolded her for not obeying him. On this, she asked him, how can I be mother of my 100 sons without my husband?
After seeing her wit, devotion and dedication, Yama was impressed. He blessed Sataywan long life and blessed everyone with happy and prosperous life ahead.
Hence, this story tells us the true bonding of a married couple. Savitri is considered as symbol of wifehood. She tells us the essence of true married life.
What to do on Vat Savitri Puja?
First of all, wake up early in the morning and take shower.
a) Firstly, woman should wear red colour saree with bindi, red vermilion, bangles, henna on hands, and other ornaments which adds to 16 srhringaar of a married woman.
b) Secondly, bhog is offered to the deity. It comprise of fruits (banana, mango, jackfruit, palm fruit, kendu, lemon and amla), wet pulses and rice. Puja thalli has flowers, akshat, betel nuts, coconut, camphor, durva, turmeric powder, sandalwood powder and roli. All of these items are offered to devi Savitri.
c) Thirdly, women observe fast for whole day. In many parts of country, women wear jewellery made out of leaf of Banyan tree for whole day. They keep rice, gud (jaggery) and haldi in it.
d) Fourthly, women listen to Vat Savitri Vrat katha.They offer water to the tree, kumkum to it.They tie a rakshakavach (white and red cotton thread) around the banyan tree and circumambulate the tree 7 times.
e) Lastly, at the end of the day, women eat satwik food to end their day long fast.
What to avoid on Vat Savitri Puja?
- Women should not wear blue, black and white colour cloth on this auspicious day.
- Do not cut your hair and nails on this auspicious day.
- Avoid consumption of non- veg food articles and alcohol.
- Do not indulge in any kind of argument with family member. Try to keep cool throughout the day.
- Women shouldn’t eat rajsik food during the day.
Conclusion
Vat Savitri Puja is an integral part of every Hindu married woman in India. After Karwachauth, Vat Savitri is the highly worshipped and observed fast in the country.
Apparently, Satyawan-Savitri teaches us the value of marriage system. The dedication and loyalty towards each other is symbolised here. Marriage is an institution to be followed with high pride and commitments. Have a happy time ahead.
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Very informative and too religious…..🙏
Thank You Ms. Surbhi for your valuable feedback. Keep following us for more updates.