वट सावित्री व्रत के दौरान अखंड सौभाग्य के लिए वट वृक्ष (बरगद) का गहरा आध्यात्मिक महत्व रखता है। ऐसा माना जाता है कि इसे भक्तिभाव से मनाया जाता है और जो लोग इसका पालन करते हैं, उनके लिए यह सौभाग्य और बच्चों का आशीर्वाद लेकर आता है। यह पवित्र परंपरा सामंजस्यपूर्ण जीवन को बढ़ावा देने में आशा, समृद्धि और अटूट विश्वास का प्रतीक है।
अवैधव्यं च सौभाग्यं देहि त्वं मम सुव्रते। पुत्रान् पौत्रांश्च सौख्यं च गृहाणार्घ्यं नमोऽस्तु ते॥
Idols of Savitri and Satyavan, a bamboo basket, bamboo fan, red sacred thread (kalawa), incense sticks, lamp (diya), ghee, fruits, flowers, roli (vermilion), items of marital adornment (suhaag items), puris, banyan fruit, and a pot (kalash) filled with water.
Savitri Vrat (also known as Savitri Brat) or Savitri Amavasya is a fasting day. This vrat is believed to support marital well-being and the blessing of children. There are different views about its exact date. According to one belief, it is observed on the full moon (Purnima) of the Jyeshtha month, while another belief says it should be observed on the Amavasya (new moon) of the same month. Since this vrat involves worship of the banyan tree (Vat Vriksha) and the story of Savitri and Satyavan, it is known as Vat Savitri Vrat.
Savitri is considered a significant figure in Indian tradition. The name Savitri is also associated with Goddess Gayatri and Saraswati. The banyan tree holds special importance in this vrat. Its hanging branches are seen as forms of Goddess Savitri. According to ancient texts, the banyan tree is believed to be the abode of the three deities—Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva). Worshipping this tree is said to fulfill one’s wishes.
On the sacred day of Vat Savitri Vrat, wake up early in the morning, complete your bath and daily routine, and light a lamp at your home temple while taking the vow of fasting. Then, place all the पूजा items along with the idols of Savitri and Satyavan in a basket and go to worship the banyan tree. There, install the idols under the tree and offer water to both the idols and the tree. After that, offer all the पूजा items. Tie the red sacred thread (kalawa) around the tree while taking seven rounds. Then listen to the vrat katha. Perform the aarti and offer your prayers with folded hands.
According to the traditional and widely known story of Vat Savitri Vrat, Goddess Savitri married Satyavan even after knowing that he was destined to have a short life. She said that as a devoted Indian woman, she chooses her husband only once, and she accepted Satyavan as her husband.
After some time of marriage, Satyavan passed away due to his short lifespan. Savitri placed her husband’s head on her lap under a banyan tree. After a while, she saw Yamraj (the god of death) arriving with his messengers. Yamraj took Satyavan’s soul and started moving towards the south direction. Seeing this, Savitri followed him. Yamraj noticed her and said, “O devoted wife, your journey with your husband was only till Earth. Now you should return.” Savitri replied, “Where my husband goes, I must go with him. That is my duty as a wife.”
Hearing her words, Yamraj was pleased and granted her three wishes. Savitri first asked for eyesight for her blind in-laws, then requested the return of her father-in-law’s lost kingdom, and finally wished to become the mother of a hundred sons of Satyavan. Yamraj granted all her wishes, saying, “So be it.”
Savitri then returned to the banyan tree where Satyavan’s body was lying. Soon, life returned to his body. Through her devotion and determination, Savitri not only brought her husband back to life but also restored her in-laws’ vision and kingdom. Since then, it is believed that worshipping the banyan tree on Vat Savitri Amavasya or Purnima brings blessings. Married women observe this fast and perform rituals, praying for their husband’s long life and lasting marital happiness.
