Vat Savitri Vrat is a festival of special importance for married women. In this, women observe a fast and worship the banyan tree and pray for the long life of their husbands. Like Teej and Karva Chauth, this festival also has importance in Hindu religion.
Vat Savitri Vrat is observed on the new moon day of Jyeshtha month. Shani Jayanti also happens on this day. But according to the calendar, Jyeshtha is on both 16th and 17th May. In such a situation, there is confusion among the people regarding the date.
According to the Panchang, Jyeshtha Amavasya will start at 5:11 am on May 16 and will end at 1:30 am on May 17 (late night on May 16). In such a situation, Savitri fast will be observed on Saturday, 16th May only, as per Udayatithi.
Religious belief is that Yamraj had brought back the life of Savitri’s husband Satyavan near the banyan tree. Since then, banyan tree worship is considered most important in this festival of unbroken good fortune.
During Vat Savitri Vrat, materials like banyan tree, roli-akshat, raw cotton, fruits-sweets, bamboo hand fan, story book, urn filled with water and lamp-incense are required for worship. On this day, worship takes place from sunrise to dawn.
On the day of Vat Savitri, women gather collectively and worship by placing the idol or picture of Mother Savitri and Satyavan under the banyan tree, tie raw yarn around the tree and listen to the story of Savitri-Satyavan.