One of the most prominent Hindu festivals for married women in India is Vat Savitri Vrat, also known as Savitri Brata. Depending on the regions, the colourful festival is celebrated on two occasions as Vat Savitri and Vat Purnima within a gap of a fortnight. However, the importance and significance of Vat Savitri remain the same. It sees married women observing a fast for the well-being and long life of their husband. This year, Vat Savitri Vrat 2019 will be celebrated on June 3 by women in North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. While, Vat Purnima Vrat 2019 tithi (date) is June 16 and will be celebrated by married women in western states of Maharashtra. In this article, we will look at all essential information related to Vat Savitri 2019 or Savitri Brata such as shubh muhurat (auspicious timings), puja vidhi (rituals), vrat katha (legend behind celebration) and puja samagri (puja items). Vat Savitri 2019 Vrat Katha: Significance of Holy Fast Observed by Married Women For Their Husbands.

Vat Savitri is celebrated on Jyeshtha Amavasya (No Moon Day or New Moon Day) while Vat Purnima is celebrated on Purnima (Full Moon Day). Usually, most of the festivals in Amanta and Purnimanta lunar calendar fall on the same day but Vat Savitri is an exception. There is no difference in the celebration, significance and legend other than the date. As mentioned above Vat Savitri 2019 will be celebrated on June 3 in North India and Vat Purnima 2019 will be celebrated on June 16 in Western India.

Vat Savitri derives its name from the words – “vat” meaning “banyan tree” and “Savitri,” the woman who saved her husband, Satyavan from Lord Yama ‘The God of Death’. The legend of Savitri and Satyavan first mentioned in in Vana Parva (The Book of the Forest) of the Mahabharata narrates the tale of the woman and her love and devotion towards her husband. It is also known as Savitri Brata or Savitri Amavasya by celebrating women in the states of Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

Vat Savitri 2019 Shubh Muhurat (Savitri Brata Muhurat)

Amavasya Tithi begins at 16:39 on June 2, 2019 (Sunday), and ends at 15:31 on June 3, 2019 (Monday). Married women from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana will be observing the Vat Savitri fast on Monday.

Vat Savitri Puja Samagri (Puja Items)

A typical puja thali for Vat Savitri Vrat will have - Soaked Chana (gram), 5 fruits with mango being a must have, puris made of jaggery, nag and naagin idols made out of clay, kalash made of clay, Savitri and Satyavan idols made up of clay, a fan made up of bamboo, akshat (rice), chandan (sandalwood), sindoor (vermillion), dhoop, agarbatti stick and lots of flowers and garlands. You will also need a red cloth and metres of colourful thread.

Vat Savitri 2019 Puja Vidhi (Savitri Brata Puja Vidhi)

Devotees celebrating the festival will observe the religious fast. After taking a holy bath, women get dressed in colourful traditional attires, mostly sarees. The pop of colours are the significance of happiness and marital bliss. They also adorn their hands with henna (mehndi), wear jewellery, colourful bangles, decorate their hair with flowers, apply makeup and look their best. Getting ready for the festival is an important observance.

Carry the puja thali (mentioned above) to a place with Vat or Banyan tree. Vat Savitri puja can be done alone, but mostly observed with several women together. After worshipping the tree, by applying vermillion, akshat, chandan, flower, women tie the thread by taking three rounds the tree. You offer fruits, prasad and water to the tree and pray to the almighty to shower their blessings on your marital life. Ladies listen to the legendary story of Savitri and Satyavan. That’s how Vat Savitri Puja is observed.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 02, 2019 11:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).