Vat Savitri Vrat is one of the most revered fasts observed by married Hindu women, especially in Northern and Western India. The vrat (fast) symbolizes a wife’s unwavering devotion, love, and prayers for the long life and well-being of her husband. This sacred tradition draws its roots from the legendary tale of Savitri and Satyavan and involves special rituals centered around the worship of the Banyan tree (Vat Vriksha).
Vat Savitri Vrat 2025 Date And Muhurat
Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
Purnima Tithi Begins: May 26, 2025 – 12:11 PM
Purnima Tithi Ends: May 27, 2025 – 08:31 AM
Traditionally, the vrat is observed on the Jyeshtha Purnima, although in some regions, it is also celebrated on Amavasya (new moon day), referred to as Vat Amavasya.
What Is Vat Savitri Vrat?
Vat Savitri Vrat is a fasting ritual undertaken by married women to seek blessings for the long life of their husbands. The fast is associated with the deep love and unshakable determination of Savitri, who defied even Yama, the god of death, to reclaim her husband’s life. Women worship the Vat (Banyan) tree, which symbolizes immortality, while reciting the Vat Savitri Vrat Katha.
Vat Savitri Vrat Katha – The Story Behind The Ritual
The Vat Savitri Vrat Katha narrates the tale of Savitri and Satyavan. Savitri, a princess of great beauty and wisdom, married Satyavan despite knowing he was destined to die within a year. On the prophesied day, when Satyavan collapsed in the forest, Yama came to take his soul. Savitri followed him and impressed Yama with her intellect and devotion. Ultimately, Yama granted her wish, and Satyavan’s life was restored.
This tale is an embodiment of pati-vrata dharma, the ideal of a devoted wife, and is recited with reverence during the vrat. Vat Savitri Vrat Katha is often read aloud during the ritual. Many women refer to the Vat Savitri Vrat Katha book or listen to audio recitations.
Rituals And Puja Vidhi – How To Do Vat Savitri Vrat
- Pre-dawn bath and donning of traditional attire, often bridal-like sarees.
- Preparation of puja thali with sacred threads, sweets, fruits, red vermillion, and bangles.
- Worship of the Banyan tree (Vat Vriksha): Women walk around the tree, tying threads around its trunk while chanting mantras. Offer water, flowers, and turmeric to the roots.
- Reading or listening to the Vat Savitri Vrat Katha.
- Fasting: Many women observe a nirjala (without water) fast, while others follow a phalahar (fruits and milk) fast.
- Offering charity (daan) to Brahmins or the needy.
- Breaking the fast in the evening after rituals are complete.
What To Eat In Vat Savitri Vrat
If the fast is not observed strictly without food or water (nirjala), women may consume:
- Fruits like bananas, mangoes, and apples
- Coconut water or milk
- Sabudana (tapioca) khichdi or kheer
- Singhara (water chestnut) flour puris
Fasting rules vary by tradition, health conditions, and region.
How Women Celebrate Vat Savitri Vrat Across India
- North India (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi): Women gather in temples or near Banyan trees, recite the katha, and perform community pujas.
- Maharashtra: Known as Vata Purnima, where women observe rituals similar to Karwa Chauth.
- Gujarat & Rajasthan: Celebrated with traditional songs, folk rituals, and group fasting.
- South India: Observed in limited regions but recognized in cultural narratives.
Importance and Cultural Significance
The vrat is not merely a ritual, but a celebration of love, sacrifice, and the strength of marital bonds. It highlights the moral values of courage, commitment, and righteousness embedded in Hindu culture. It also reinforces community bonding among women who come together to observe the vrat with shared devotion.
Summing Up
Vat Savitri Vrat 2025, falling on May 26, is a deeply spiritual occasion celebrated by married Hindu women across India. Through fasting, storytelling, and rituals, women honor the eternal bond of marriage inspired by Savitri’s legendary devotion to Satyavan. From the sacred Banyan tree to the powerful Vat Savitri Vrat Katha, every aspect of the day reflects resilience, love, and cultural richness. Whether observed with solemnity or community celebration, the vrat remains a timeless testimony to the strength of a wife’s faith and determination.
