Vat Purnima or Vat Savitri Vrat is one of the most celebrated festivals among Hindus in both the Northern and Southern parts of India. This festival is mainly observed by women who pray and fast for the long and healthy lives of their husbands. On this day, Goddess Savitri and her husband Satyavan are honoured and worshipped.
Mentioned below are the important dates for Vat Savitri 2024, along with the Tithi, so that you are well aware of the vrat timings. So, take a deeper look at how it’s celebrated and the mythological story behind it.
Vat Savitri Vrat 2024 Date and Time
Vat Savitri Amavasya 2024 Date and Time
- Vat Savitri Amavasya Date: 6th June 2024 (Thursday)
- Amavasya Tithi Begins: 07:54 PM on Jun 05, 2024
- Amavasya Tithi Ends: 06:07 PM on Jun 06, 2024
Vat Purnima 2024 Date and Time
- Vata Savitri Purnima Date: 21st June 2024 (Friday)
- Purnima Tithi Begins: 07:31 AM on Jun 21, 2024
- Purnima Tithi Ends: 06:37 AM on Jun 22, 2024
You might confuse yourself with two dates and timing, but Vat Savitri Vrat is celebrated twice in June: Vat Savitri Amavasya and Vat Savitri Purnima. This is because the people of the Northern parts of India follow the Purnimanta calendar, while the Southern parts follow the Amanta calendar.
Also Read: Hariyali Amavasya: Get Blessings Of Lord Shiva In This Muhurat
What is Vat Savitri Amavasya or Purnima?
In Hinduism, Vat Savitri Vrat is considered a powerful celebration among the Hindu women who observe fast and follow the rituals under the Banyan tree. This festival highlights the genuine love of Savitri (the daughter of the solar deity Savitr and the wife of the creator god Brahma) for her husband Satyavan, who rescued him from Lord Yama (The God of death).
Moreover, this festival is very popular among Northern and Southern Indians. The people of Northern India celebrate Vat Savitri during the dark fortnight or the dark moon day. On the other hand, the people of Southern India celebrate this festival during the bright fortnight or the full moon day.
Why is Vat Savitri Puja Performed?
Vat Savitri Vrat or Pooja is celebrated in honour of Goddess Savitri and her husband Satyavan. On this day, women observe nirjala vrat throughout the day and pray for their husbands’ good health, longevity, abundance, and prosperity. Moreover, it is believed that Vat Savitri vrat is considered equally important as Karwa Chauth.
Additionally, this festival is called Vat Savitri because Satyavan’s body was kept under the banyan tree (Vat Tree), and she saved her from under it. This tree is also considered auspicious for performing Vat Savitri rituals because the Trimurtis (Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, and Lord Shiva) are believed to reside under it.
Ancient Mythological Vat Savitri Katha
The Vat Savitri story is fascinating and displays how Savitri begged for her husband’s life to Lord Yama. So, once lived a king named Ashvapati who had a daughter, Savitri. Even after being a daughter of a royal family, Savitri always lived a simple life, which prevented her from getting married.
However, later, Savitri’s father gave her the liberty to find a husband for herself. On the search for a husband, Savitri came across a man named Satyavan, the son of a blind man, Dyumatsena, who she wanted to marry. So, when she announced her decision to her father, Narad Muni interfered and told King Ashvapati that the boy would die within a year and would not live on Earth beyond that period.
After all this, Savitri still wanted to get married to Satyavan, and her father agreed to his daughter’s decision. On getting married, Savitri left behind all the royalty and started living in the forest with Satyavan’s family. She started praying and fasting for her husband’s life before the date of her husband’s death. So, one day, when Satyavan was cutting wood, he fell under the banyan tree and died. While Lord Yama came to take away the soul of Satyavan, Savitri prayed and requested back for her husband’s life.
On hearing this, Lord Yama told Savitri she could ask anything except for her husband’s life. Savitri responded that she wanted a hundred children from Satyavan, which put Lord Yama in a dilemma. On seeing her love and devotion for her husband, Lord Yama granted Satyavan’s life back, and later, they both lived happily ever after.
Rituals and Puja Vidhi of Savitri Amavasya or Vat Purnima
Here are the proper rituals on how you can perform the Vat Savitri Vrat and all the Puja Vidhi.
- The first thing to do in the morning is to take a bath before sunrise by putting some Amla (Gooseberry) and Til (Sesame Seeds) in the water.
- The women should get adorned in a red saree, vermilion, and bangles, resembling a newlywed bride.
- One can start the vrat by offering prayers and chanting mantras in front of Goddess Savitri, Satyavan and Yamraj.
- Devotees consume the roots of the Vat (Banyan) tree, and if the fast continues for three consecutive days, they consume the roots with water.
- After worshipping at home, one must worship the Banyan Tree (Vat or Bargad Tree) by offering rice, water and flowers.
- Devotees can start the puja by sprinkling some holy water, applying vermillion and tying a red or yellow cotton thread around the trunk of the banyan tree.
- Women should also perform Parikrama (making seven rounds around the tree) seven times, praying for their husband’s long and healthy life.
- The vrat is broken by eating bhoga, which comprises rice, wet pulses, jackfruit, mango, and bananas.
- Lastly, if you don’t have access to a Banana tree, you can take a banyan plant in a pot or paint a picture of one in a flat wood with turmeric and sandalwood.
Also Read: Somvati Amavasya 2024: Significance, Vrat Katha and Rituals
Vat Savitri Vrat Puja Samagri List
Mentioned below are the important puja samagri that need to be available for the puja. If you are unaware of what you need for Vat Savitri Vrat Puja, here is all you need to know.
- Branches of Banyan Tree
- Idols of Savitri and Satyavan
- Black Chickpeas (Kale Chane)
- Bamboo fan
- Jaggery
- Mango
- Roll of Yarn (Kalawa)
- Flower (Specially Yellow and Red)
- Cotton thread
- Vermillion (Sindoor)
- Betel nuts and leaves
- Batasha (Sugar Plum)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Vat Savitri Vrat, and why is it observed?
2. Who are Savitri and Satyavan in the Vat Savitri vrat katha?
3. Who performs the puja and vrat on Vat Savitri Purnima?
4. Why is Vat Savitri celebrated twice in a month?
5. Why is the banyan tree important for Vat Savitri rituals?
6. What are the benefits of performing Vat Savitri Puja and Vrat?
Also Read: Apara Ekadashi 2024: Know its Significance and Vrat Katha
For interesting Astrological Facts and Videos, follow us on Instagram and read your daily horoscope.