Vat Savitri Vrat 2021
Vat Savitri Vrat is an important observance for married Hindu women that is observed either on the ‘Purina’ (full moon day) or ‘Amavasya (no moon day) in the month of ‘Jyeshtha’ in the traditional Hindu calendar. The fasting ritual begins on the ‘trayodashi’ (13th day) and ends on Purnima or Amavasya.
This year, Vat Savitri Vrat falls on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Most of the Hindu festivals fall on the same day in the Purnimanta and Amanta lunar calendar, with only Vat Savitri Vrat being an exception. As per the Purnimanta calendar, it is observed on the ‘Jyeshtha Amavasya’ and is also celebrated as ‘Shani Jayanti’ whereas, in the Amanta calendar, Vat Savitri Vrat falls during the ‘Jyeshtha Purnima’ and is called as ‘Vat Purnima Vrat’. For this reason, married women in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and southern states of India celebrate the Vat Savitri Vrat 15 days after the celebrations by women in the northern states. In the Gregorian calendar, Vat Savitri Vrat falls between the months of May-June.
Vat Savitri Vrat is observed by married Indian women for the well-being and longevity of their husbands and children. According to the Hindu legends, on this day, Devi Savitri compelled Lord Yamaraja, the God of Death to return the life of Satyawan, her husband. Lord Yamaraja was so pleased with her devotion that He gave back her dead husband. From then onwards, married women offer prayers to the ‘Vat ‘(Bargad) tree and Savitri is also worshipped as ‘Devi Savitri’ on this day.
They seek blessings to preserve their husbands’ fortune and pray for the growth of their families. Vat Savitri Vrat is celebrated with immense joy and devotion in the whole of India.
Significance of Vat Savitri Vrat
The untold glories of the Vat Savitri Vrat are mentioned in several Hindu Puranas like the ‘Bhavishyottar Purana’ and ‘Skanda Purana’. On Vat Savitri Vrat, devotees worship the ‘Vat’ or Banyan tree. As per Hindu mythology, the Banyan tree is a symbolic representation of the ‘Trimurtis’ namely, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. The roots of the tree represent Lord Brahma, the stem is symbolic of Lord Vishnu and the upper portion of the tree is Lord Shiva. Moreover, the whole ‘Vat’ tree is symbolic of ‘Savitri’. Women observe a sacred fast to ensure the safety of their husbands and pray for their good fortune and success in life.
