Savitri Vrata

Savitri Amavasya is the no moon day in Jyestha month in the Hindu Calendar, and it means it falls in May-June in the western calendar. This day is observed as a fasting day by Hindu women as they pray for their husbands’ long lives. It is also known as Savitri Vrata or Savitri Uwaans.

History

The vrata had been named after Savitri, Madra Desa ‘s beautiful daughter of King Aswapati. She chose as her life companion Satyavan, a prince in exile who had been staying in the forest with his blind father, Dyumatsen. She fled the palace and stayed in the woods with her husband and the in-laws. She went to a considerable extent, as a loving wife and daughter-in-law to take charge of them. Satyavan ‘s head reeled one day while cutting wood in the jungle, and he fell from a tree. Then Yama, the God of destruction, evidently took away the life of Satyavan. Savitri, deeply hurt, pleaded with Yamraj not to separate him from her husband. If something, he ‘d steal her husband’s soul away and she’d comply as well. Yamraj, inspired by Savitri ‘s love, has restored her husband’s home. Satyavan soon regained his lost kingdom.

Pooja Rituals

Women take purifying baths in the early morning, wear new clothes and bangles, and apply the vermilion to their foreheads.  The Goddess is given nine or five (depending on customs) varieties of vegetables, and flowers. As Bhoga (offering), wet pulses, rice, mangos, jackfruits, palm fruits, kendu, bananas and several other fruits are offered. Then listen to Savitri’s and Satyavan ‘s story (the Katha is also an essential part of the puja, and mandatory). Following this, women seek the Lord’s blessings and pray to goddess Savitri for their spouses’ well-being. The women who do this fast, often bow to their husbands and older people in the house.

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