India is a land of festival with many known and unknown festival celebrated almost every month. I used "unknown" because there are many lessor known festival which are religiously followed among different states. One of them is Vat Savitri where Indian women worship Banyan tree.
As per the Hindu calender, the festival celebrated on the Vaishak Vaidya Chaturdashi Amavasya (no moon night), every year. This year it was celebrated yesterday i.e. May-22.
The festival is a symbol of love and devotion of the wife to her husband. That why husband do have the chance to celebrate knighthood during the year. On this day Women keep "Vrat" (fasting), listen story of "Savitri & Satyvan", and worship "Banyan Tree".
The festival is celebrated by married women for the longevity, well-being, and prosperity of their husbands. Banyan tree holds a special significance in this festival. As per Hindu scriptures, the banyan tree represents the essence of the three gods – Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.
The roots represent ‘Brahma’, stem represents ‘Vishnu’ and the upper part of the tree represents ‘Shiva’. While the entire tree represents ‘Savitri’.
As per the popular age old story goes by, The day marked to celebrate the bravery of "Savitri" who with her witty sense brought back her husband "Satyvan" from the clutches of "Yama" (the deity of death) to give him a new life.(perhaps It's a long story, and I will bring it up on some other day.) It is believed that performing *** Banyan Tree*** puja and tying a sacred thread (called roli) around it fulfills all the wishes of the devotees.
This time of the year, where going out is not possible for the married women due to deadly pandemic. Many women arranged a smaller tree or piece of Banyan tree and perform all the rituals at home. There were lot ofering and rituals followed for completing the puja. Quite an interesting way to celebrate the day happily.
The festival is famous by the name of Vat Savitri. While Vat means the Banyan Tree and Savitri represents the brave soul. Fasting and Praying on this day by married women bless their husband with long life and health.
There is one morenpe ularity of this festival. it is celebrated on two different occassion in two different part of India. While North Indian observed the fast on Amavasya (No Moon night), the South Indian, celebrate the festival on Purnima (Full Moon Day) in the month of Vaishakh (June),This year it will be celebrated on June-5.
Quite interesting how we have so many variety in culture and rituals.
