Vat Savitri Vrat for well being and longevity of husband
When is Vat Savitri Vrat in 2017
In the year 2017 the Vat Savitri Vrat is on Thursday, 25.05.2017 (Amavasya Paksh)
and on Friday, 09.06.2017 (Purnima Paksh)
( Note- see below why two Tithis have been given for this fast)
Important things about Vat Savitri Vrat -
(1) There are two views about the Tithi for observing Vat Savitri Vrat. According to Skand and Bhavishyottar, this fast is observed on Jeshtha Shukla Purnima and according to Nirjanmrit etc. this Vrat is observed on Vaisakh krishna Amavasya. Accordingly in some parts of India it is observed on Purnima and in some other parts it is observed on Amavasya.
(2) Vat Savitri Vrat is dedicated to Savitri who got her dead husband back.
(3) The married women observe this fast for the longevity of their husbands. The unmarried girls observe this fast to get a good husband.
(4) Alhtough this Vrat begins on Trayodashi and ends on on Amavasya or Purnima (as the case may be) yet usually this Vrat is obesrved either on Amavasya or on Purnima.
Why is Vat Savitri Vrat observed:-
In the year 2017 the Vat Savitri Vrat is on Thursday, 25.05.2017 (Amavasya Paksh)
and on Friday, 09.06.2017 (Purnima Paksh)
( Note- see below why two Tithis have been given for this fast)
Important things about Vat Savitri Vrat -
(1) There are two views about the Tithi for observing Vat Savitri Vrat. According to Skand and Bhavishyottar, this fast is observed on Jeshtha Shukla Purnima and according to Nirjanmrit etc. this Vrat is observed on Vaisakh krishna Amavasya. Accordingly in some parts of India it is observed on Purnima and in some other parts it is observed on Amavasya.
(2) Vat Savitri Vrat is dedicated to Savitri who got her dead husband back.
(3) The married women observe this fast for the longevity of their husbands. The unmarried girls observe this fast to get a good husband.
(4) Alhtough this Vrat begins on Trayodashi and ends on on Amavasya or Purnima (as the case may be) yet usually this Vrat is obesrved either on Amavasya or on Purnima.
Why is Vat Savitri Vrat observed:-
This vrat is observed by the married women for the well being, longevity and good health of their husbands, this Vrat is associated with Savitri. It is observed in the honour of Savitri who showed her determination to bring back her husband Satyavan from Yam, the god of death .
How is Vat Savitri vrat observed :-
This fast begins from Trayodashi and ends on Purnima or Amavashya as the case may be .But if it is not possible to start this Vrat on Trayodashi, one can keep this Vrat only on Purnima or on Amavasya.In any of the above cases on Purnma or on Amavasya, the women get up early in the morning,take a bath and in the noon or before noon they make a group and go to Vat Vriksh (Banyan tree ).There they do the Puja of the Vat Vriksh. After Puja and prayer they tie a red or yellow thread around the banyan tree.Then they listen to the story of Satyavan and Savitri and go seven times around the tree singing folk songs. After this Puja ritual,they take the blessings of their elders and other married women by bowing before them and touching their feet.
The legend (story) of Vat Savitri Vrat :-
The princess Savitri was the daughter of Ashvapati,the king of Madra Desh.She wanted to marry Satyavan . Before her marriage Rishi Narad had told her that Satyavan would die in a year and thus he would not live long.But Savitri was determined to marry him. So her father married off Savitri. Dhymdsen was the name of Savitri's father in law .His kigdom was snatched by some other king so he had to live in the forest with his family. Savitri also began to live with them.
Three days before the fixed day of Satyavan's death,Savitri started her fast.On the third day Satyavan and Savitri began cutting wood as usual.When Satyavan was tired,he slept.While he was sleeping, a snake bit him.Yam, the god of death came to take away his soul. Savitri followed Yam.Then Yam granted her three boons.The last boon was that she would be the mother of one hundred sons.On granting this boon Savitri said to Yam , "As you have granted me the boon of having one hundred sons,please give me my husband back.Without her how will I be able to become the mother of one hundred sons."
At thisYam had to give back Satyavan's soul.There after Satyavan and Savitri lived happily.
