VATA SAVITRI
The fast of Vata Savitri is observed
generally o the 13th day of the dark fortnight of Jyaistha, but at some places it is also observed on Jyestha Purnima. It is meant only for the married women. The Hindu married
women observe this fast for the sake of longevity and well being of their husbands.
The story of Savitri and Satyavan is well known. According to the scriptures, Savitri, the daughter of king aswapati, was the lover of Satyavan, whom she married, though she was
warned by a seer that Satyavan had only one year to live. On the fateful day Satyavan went out to cut wood, and Savitri followed him like his shadow. As fate would have it, Satyavan
fell. Dying to the earth, and, as she supported him, she saw a figure, who told her that he was Yama and had come to fetch her husband’s soul. Yama carried off his soul towards his
above of death, but Savitri followed him. Her devotion so pleased Yama, the god of death, that he had to finally restore her husband’s life. Like Savitri it is the desire of every
Hindu women ever to die as a window.
Vata is a sacred tree among the Hindus. When Satyavan died Savitri had worshipped the Vata (Banyan tree). So, on Vata Savitri day women get up early in the morning and having bathed
they go to worship the Vata in groups wearing gay raiments. They ceremonially water the tree, sprinkle red powder on it, wraps raw cotton threads round its trunk, and the they go
round it seven times which is called the Parikrama.
On returning home they paint a Vata o the sanctified wall with turmeric powder and sandal and worship it. After breaking the fast, fruits, clothes and such other articles are given
I charity in a bamboo basket to the Brahmins. The tell the story of Satyavan- Savitri among themselves and pray for the prosperity ad good health of their husband.
