Festival, Vat Savitri

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Vat Savitri is a Hindu religious festival that is celebrated in different parts of India. This festival is also known as Vat Purnima as it is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Jyeshta of the Hindu calendar. This festival is celebrated in honour of the legendary wife of Satyawaan, Savitri.

History Behind Vat Savitri Puja
The festival of Vat Savitri is celebrated to honour Savitri. She was born to the king Aswapati of Madra Desa. He got married to a prince name Satyawaan, who was in exile and lived with his father, who was blind. Although, she belonged to a royal family, she decided to renounce the comfort of palace and went to stay with her husband in the midst of the forest. She was well known for her devotion towards her husband and his family. She loved her husband dearly and took care of all his needs. But sadly enough, one day while he was cutting trees in the forest by sitting on the top of it and suddenly he slipped and fell down from the tree. This incident took away his life and he was left dead on the lap of his wife. According to Hindu mythology, the messenger of death Yamraj appeared before her to take away the life of Satyawaan. Seeing this, Savitri was devastated and pleaded in front of Yamraj not to take him away and separate them. She was so stubborn that she would follow if he took her beloved husband away. Seeing the devotion and lover for her husband, Yamraj was moved and returned her husband’s life and he became alive again. She was extremely happy and they both lived together forever.

Significance of Vat Savitri Puja
The Vat Savitri puja is observed by all Hindu women for the long life of their husbands. On this day, women keep fast and offer puja to Savitri, who with her devotion brought back the life of her husband. It is believed that on this day married women should fast for the well being of their husbands.

Celebration of Vat Savitri
The festival of Vat Savitri is mainly observed in the states of Maharastra, Karnataka and Gujarat. This religious festival is celebrated with zest and women keep fast on this vary day to honour Savitri, who is worshiped as Goddess. On this day, women take ritual bath in the morning and goes to temple. They wear new clothes and dress up like newly wedded bride combined with jewellery for their beloved husbands. They worship Savitri and tie red coloured threads around banyan trees. This is an auspicious festival for the Hindu married women. In many places, women start their fast two to three days prior to the actual day. However, after the religious rituals are completed, they break their fast with the food that is cooked and offered to the goddess. When everything is completed, they bow in front of their husbands and elders to take their blessings.
 
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