Vat Savitri Vrat 2023

Vat Savitri Vrat is an important observance for married Hindu women that is observed either on the ‘Purina’ (full moon day) or ‘amavasya’ (no moon day) in the month of ‘Jyeshtha’ in the traditional Hindu calendar. The fasting ritual begins on the ‘trayodashi’ (13th day) and ends on Purnima or Amavasya.

This year, Vat Savitri Vrat falls on Friday, May 19, 2023.

Most of the Hindu festivals fall on the same day in the Purnimanta and Amanta lunar calendar, with only Vat Savitri Vrat being an exception. As per the Purnimanta calendar, it is observed on the ‘Jyeshtha Amavasya’ and is also celebrated as ‘Shani Jayanti’ whereas in the Amanta calendar, Vat Savitri Vrat falls during the ‘Jyeshtha Purnima’ and is called as ‘Vat Purnima Vrat’. For this reason married women in Gujarat, Maharashtra and southern states of India, celebrate the Vat Savitri Vrat 15 days after the celebrations by women in northern states. In the Gregorian calendar, Vat Savitri Vrat falls between the months of May-June.

Vat Savitri Vrat is observed by married Indian women for the well-being and longevity of their husbands and children. According to the Hindu legends it is said that on this day, Devi Savitri compelled Lord Yamaraja, the God of Death to return the life of Satyawan, her husband. Lord Yamaraja was so pleased with her devotion that He gave back her dead husband. From then onwards, married women offer prayers to the ‘Vat ‘(Bargad) tree and Savitri is also worshipped as ‘Devi Savitri’ on this day.

They seek blessings to preserve the fortune of their husbands and also pray for the growth of their families. Vat Savitri Vrat is celebrated with immense joy and devotion in the whole of India.

Vat Savitri Vrat 2023 is on May 19 Friday

1 month and 23 days to go for the event

Rituals during Vat Savitri Vrat:

• On the day of Vat Savitri Vrat, women get up before sunrise. They take a bath with ‘gingli’ (sesame seeds) and ‘amla’ (Indian gooseberry). After bath, women wear new clothes, bangles and apply vermillion on their forehead. The root of the ‘Vat’ or Banyan tree is eaten with water. Those women, who observe this fasting for three days, eat only the roots for the three days.
• The women then worship the ‘Vat’ tree by tying a yellow or red colored thread around the tree. They then offer water, flowers and rice as a part of puja. Finally women go around the trees, known as ‘parikrama’ and chant prayers while doing so.
• For those who cannot find or visit the banyan tree, can even make a portrait of the banyan tree on a wood or plate using turmeric or sandalwood paste. Puja is performed similarly and special dishes are prepared on Vat Savitri Vrat. After the puja, these preparations are distributed among friends and families. On the day of Vat Savitri Vrat, women seek blessings from elders and married women in the house.
• Doing charity is also very rewarding on Vat Savitri Vrat. On this day, people generously donate money, food and clothes to the poor and needy.

Important Timings On Vat Savitri Vrat

Significance of Vat Savitri Vrat:

The untold glories of the Vat Savitri Vrat are mentioned in several Hindu Puranas like the ‘Bhavishyottar Purana’ and ‘Skanda Purana’. On Vat Savitri Vrat, devotees worship the ‘Vat’ or Banyan tree. As per the Hindu mythology, the Banyan tree is symbolic representation of the ‘Trimurtis’ namely, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The roots of the tree represent Lord Brahma, the stem is symbolic of Lord Vishnu and the upper portion of the tree is Lord Shiva. Moreover the whole ‘Vat’ tree is symbolic of ‘Savitri’. Women observe a sacred fast on this day to ensure safety of their husbands and also pray for their good fortune and success in life.