Vat Savitri Vrat is a Hindu festival where married women pray for their husband’s long life by fasting and worshipping the Banyan tree. Based on Savitri’s devotion in the Mahabharata, the vrat includes tying threads, offering prayers, and performing Parikrama. Observed on Jyeshtha Amavasya or Purnima, it symbolizes commitment, protection, and blessings for marital harmony.
Vat Savitri Vrat is a sacred Hindu observance where Sumangali or married women fast and worship the Banyan (Vat) tree to pray for their husband’s long life, health, and protection. Celebrated during the Jyeshtha month, the vrat honors the devotion of Savitri, who through determination and wisdom brought her husband Satyavan back from Yama, the god of death.
Women observe this vrat with deep faith, performing rituals such as tying a sacred thread around the Banyan tree, offering prayers, and reciting the Savitri-Satyavan story. The festival symbolizes marital harmony, resilience, and the belief that devotion and virtue can overcome even destiny.
Vat Savitri Vrat in 2026 will be observed on two important days based on regional traditions, Jyeshtha Amavasya and Jyeshtha Purnima. Different states follow different calendars, so both dates hold significance for devotees.
🔸Date: Saturday / शनिवार, 16th May, 2026
🔸Tithi: Jyeshtha Amavasya
🔸Amavasya Begins: 05:11 AM, 16 May 2026
🔸Amavasya Ends: 01:30 AM, 17 May 2026
Women observing the Amavasya tradition perform the vrat on 16 May, which aligns with the start of the Jyeshtha lunar phase.
🔸Date: Monday / सोमवार, June 29, 2026
🔸Tithi: Jyeshtha Purnima
🔸Purnima Begins: 03:06 AM, 29 June 2026
🔸Purnima Ends: 05:26 AM, 30 June 2026
Vat Purnima is widely observed in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Goa, where devotees follow the Purnimant calendar. The vrat is performed on 29 June 2026 under the Purnima moon.
Savitri, also known as Sati Savitri (Sati is a woman devoted to her husband in mind, speech, and actions), revered across Hindu tradition, is celebrated as the ideal embodiment of devotion, virtue, and unwavering loyalty. She is the daughter of King Ashvapati of Madra and is best known for her marriage to Prince Satyavan, a noble soul destined to live a short life.
Savitri’s strength lies in her devotion, in her intelligence, spiritual discipline, and courage. When Sage Narada warned her about Satyavan’s fate, she chose to marry him regardless, demonstrating steadfast commitment.
Her legendary confrontation with Yama, the god of death, showcases her wisdom and determination. Through patience, logic, and purity of intention, Savitri won multiple boons including Satyavan’s life setting a timeless example of what true marital devotion and moral strength can achieve.
Even today, Hindu women look to Savitri as an inspiration for inner strength, resilience, and sacred marital bonds.
The story of Savitri and Satyavan appears in the Van Parva of the Mahabharata, where it is narrated as a testament to devotion, destiny, and moral courage. Savitri, daughter of King Ashvapati, chose Satyavan as her husband even after Sage Narada revealed he had only one year to live. Her decision reflected unshakeable loyalty and clarity of purpose.
After marriage, Savitri lived with Satyavan and his parents in the forest where they were exiled by their enemies. The day when Satyavan was supposed to be visited by the God of death (Yama), Savitri went with him to the forest where he went every day for daily chores. Being tired from work, Satyavan rested his head in the lap of Savitri.
A few minutes had passed when Yama arrived, asking Savitri to let go of her husband as he was about to take his soul to Yamapuri (the city of Yama). Savitri followed Yama relentlessly as he walked toward Yamapuri. Her wisdom, humility, and spiritual strength moved Yama, who granted her three boons except the life of Satyavan.
Savitri requested the restoration of her father-in-law Dyumatsena’s eyesight and kingdom, and then a boon for 100 children with Satyavan. Realizing the implication, she couldn’t have children without Satyavan alive, Yama honored her devotion and returned Satyavan’s life.
The story concludes with the couple reunited, their family restored, and Savitri’s virtue celebrated as a symbol of marital courage, intelligence, and divine feminine strength.
Vat Savitri Vrat is observed with deep faith and detailed rituals that honor Savitri’s devotion and the sacred symbolism of the Banyan tree. Married women perform this vrat to pray for their husband’s well-being, longevity, and protection. Married women on the occasion of Vat-Savitiri Vrat or Puja fast for three days.
Before the puja begins, devotees prepare by:
🔸Taking a purifying bath early in the morning
🔸Wearing traditional bridal attire, often in red or yellow
🔸Bringing puja items such as flowers, vermillion, rice, fruits, diya, water, and sacred thread (kalawa)
🔸Keeping an image or idol of Savitri, Satyavan, and Yama for worship
🔸Observing a fast, either nirjala (without water) or phalahar (fruits only), depending on tradition
1. Clean the place of worship and set up the puja items.
2. Visit the Banyan (Vat) tree, usually in groups with other married women.
3. Offer water to the tree’s roots, symbolizing nourishment and gratitude.
4. Apply kumkum, haldi, and akshata to the trunk as a mark of respect.
5. Tie the sacred thread around the tree while praying for the husband’s long life and marital harmony.
6. Perform Parikrama around the tree (traditionally 108 times or as per capability).
7. Recite or listen to the story of Savitri and Satyavan, reaffirming faith and devotion.
8. Offer fruits, sweets, and flowers as part of the puja rituals.
9. End the vrat by seeking blessings from elders and offering prayers for family well-being.
The act of tying the sacred thread around the Banyan tree represents:
🔸Unity and protection in marital life
🔸Strength and longevity, as the Banyan tree is known for its long lifespan
🔸Devotion and commitment, mirroring Savitri’s unwavering loyalty
🔸Continuity of blessings, symbolizing a bond that extends beyond lifetimes
This ritual is considered one of the most powerful symbols of faith during the Vat Savitri Vrat.
The Banyan tree, known as Vat Vriksha, holds a sacred place in Hindu tradition and forms the core of the Vat Savitri Vrat rituals. Women worship this ancient tree because it symbolizes strength, longevity, protection, and the eternal flow of life qualities they pray to receive for their husbands and families.
In Hindu scriptures, the Banyan tree is believed to be the residence of the Tridev: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Worshipping it is therefore considered equal to offering prayers to these three divine forces at once.
The tree’s long lifespan and ever-growing branches also make it a symbol of enduring health, stability, and prosperity. Many associate its spreading roots with Savitri herself, reflecting resilience and the ability to withstand life’s challenges.
By tying a sacred thread and performing Parikrama around the tree, devotees honor its divine significance, also reaffirm their commitment, faith, and gratitude values that lie at the heart of the Vat Savitri Vrat.
Vat Savitri Vrat holds deep spiritual meaning as it celebrates devotion, moral strength, and the sacred bond of marriage. The vrat is a reminder of the values that sustain relationships: faith, resilience, and selfless love. By fasting and worshipping the Banyan tree, women express gratitude for their marital life and pray for protection, prosperity, and harmony.
The vrat also represents the victory of virtue over destiny, as seen in Savitri’s unwavering courage before Yama. Each ritual whether tying the sacred thread, listening to the Savitri-Satyavan story, or performing Parikrama reinforces the spiritual ideals of commitment and righteousness.
The Banyan tree itself symbolizes immortality, stability, and divine shelter, mirroring the aspirations of families who seek long-lasting well-being. Through this vrat, devotees reconnect with dharma, tradition, and the timeless strength of feminine devotion.
The story of Savitri and Satyavan offers timeless teachings that continue to inspire Hindu women across generations. Her life embodies devotion, wisdom, and steadfast courage qualities that define the essence of the Vat Savitri Vrat.
🔸Follow your heart with clarity and conviction: Savitri chose Satyavan despite knowing his destiny, showing strength of purpose.
🔸Courage and patience can overcome destiny: Her calm determination in the face of Yama reflects spiritual resilience.
🔸Devotion is powerful when rooted in purity: Savitri’s intentions were selfless, earning divine blessings.
🔸Wisdom and dialogue can win even impossible battles: Her conversations with Yama highlight the strength of intelligence and virtue.
🔸Commitment to family is a sacred responsibility: She sought the well-being of her husband, in-laws, and future generations.
🔸True partnership goes beyond life and death: Savitri walked with Satyavan through joy, hardship, and even into the realm of death.
These lessons make Savitri an enduring symbol of moral strength, loyalty, and the profound spiritual power of womanhood.
Women observe Vat Savitri Vrat to pray for their husband’s long life, health, and protection, following the example of Savitri’s devotion to Satyavan.
The Banyan tree symbolizes strength, longevity, and divine presence. Worshipping it is believed to bring blessings of stability, prosperity, and long married life.
The vrat is based on Savitri’s courage and wisdom in the Mahabharata, where she convinced Yama to restore her husband Satyavan’s life.
It depends on regional tradition. North India usually follows Jyeshtha Amavasya, while Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka observe it on Jyeshtha Purnima.
Women fast, visit the Banyan tree, tie a sacred thread, perform Parikrama, and recite the story of Savitri and Satyavan.
Traditionally, the vrat is observed by married women (Suhagin), but some unmarried women keep it seeking an ideal life partner or blessings of marital harmony.
Tying the sacred thread around the Banyan tree symbolizes protection, unity, long life, and the unbreakable bond of marriage.
🔸Vat Savitri Vrat is observed by married women to pray for their husband’s long life, health, and protection.
🔸The vrat is inspired by Savitri’s devotion in the Mahabharata, where she won Satyavan’s life back from Yama through faith and wisdom.
🔸Rituals include fasting, Banyan tree worship, thread-tying, and Parikrama, each symbolizing strength and longevity.
🔸The festival is observed on Jyeshtha Amavasya or Purnima, and both dates hold regional significance.
🔸The Banyan tree represents immortality, stability, and divine blessings, making it central to the puja.
🔸The vrat teaches values like courage, purity, resilience, and unwavering commitment, which continue to inspire devotees.
🔸Savitri stands as a symbol of ideal womanhood, blending intelligence, devotion, and spiritual power.
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