Several parts of India like Bihar, Gujarat, Maharastra and Odisha celebrated Vat Purnima during the Jyeshtha month according to the Hindu calendar (May-June). The fasting lasts for one day in some parts of the country, three days in some others where it is celebrated on Amavasya and South India and Western states observe it 15 days after, on the day of Purnima. This vrat aka fast is generally meant for married Hindu women who wish for a long life for their husbands. Also known as Savitri vrat, on this day, women refrain from eating or drinking anything. The vrat also has a special tale associated with it due to which the Satyavana Katha is narrated on this day.
This year, Vat Purnima falls on the 14th June and several rituals are performed, one of them being about tying a thread around a banyan tree, since Vat refers to banyan. The banyan tree is significant during this festival because King Ashapta’s daughter, Savitri added years to her dying husband’s life under this tree. Along with this, Savitri also granted a boon of 100 children which makes it auspicious. From that day onwards, married women keep a fast for a long life of their husbands during this pious month.
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The Bhog that is served after the pooja consists of the wet pulses, jackfruit, palm fruit, bananas, kendu, rice, mangoes and many other fruits. Even during the rituals, women offer nine fruits to Goddess Savitri and later they eat the prasad or bhog after taking the blessings of their mother-in-law and husband.
