Vat Savitri Vrat: Timings, Story, Rituals, and Significance

Vat Savitri Vrat is an important observance for married Hindu women that is observed either on the ‘Purnima’ (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. The scriptures mention that the women who are unable to fast for three days, can observe a single-day vrat in the last day.

Narad Puran states that Vat Savitri Vrat can be observed on both Jyeshta Amavasya and Jyeshta Purnima, called Vat Amavasya and Vat Purnima, respectively. However, Skanda Puran mentions the tithi as Jyeshta Purnima, while Nirnayamrit cites Jyeshta Amavasya as the tithi for the vrat.

Vat Savitri 2023 was on May 19, Friday

Vat Savitri Vrat 2024 falls on June 06, Thursday

Vat Purnima Vrat 2024 (Jyeshta Amavasya): June 21, Friday

(The timings are in IST, for Ujjain. Visit Panchang page to change location.)

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 Katha

Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Bhadra, there reigned a king named Ashwapati. Despite his position, King Ashwapati had no children, which filled him with sorrow.

Every day for eighteen years, the king performed elaborate rituals and chanted mantras, offering one lakh oblations in hopes of being blessed with offspring. It was during this period that Savitri Devi appeared before him and granted a boon, saying, "O King, a radiant daughter named Savitri shall be born to you."

Grateful for this divine blessing, the king named his daughter Savitri. As she grew up, Savitri's unparalleled beauty captured the attention of many, but her father struggled to find a suitable groom for her. Determined to find her own partner, Savitri embarked on a journey to seek a worthy husband.

Her wanderings led her to the Tapovan, where she encountered King Dyumatsen of Salva, who had lost his kingdom to an adversary. It was there that she laid eyes on his son, Satyavan, and decided he would be her life partner.

Upon learning of Savitri's choice, the sage Narad approached King Ashwapati, cautioning him, "O King, what are you doing? Satyavan is virtuous and strong, but his lifespan is short-lived. He will pass away within a year."

Hearing this disheartening news, King Ashwapati became deeply troubled. When Savitri questioned her father about his worries, he revealed the truth, urging her to consider another suitor.

However, Savitri remained steadfast, saying, "Father, in the noble traditions of our Aryans, a woman marries her husband only once. The king's orders are given only once, and the priests perform the sacred rituals only once during the wedding ceremony. Kanyadan, the giving away of the bride, is also done only once."

With her determination unyielding, Savitri insisted on marrying Satyavan. King Ashwapati, unable to dissuade her, gave his daughter's hand in marriage to Satyavan.

Upon arriving at her new home, Savitri devotedly served her mother-in-law and father-in-law. As time passed, Narada Muni's prediction about Satyavan's impending death drew near. Savitri became increasingly anxious, and three days before the predicted date, she began a fast and performed ancestral worship as instructed by Narada Muni.

On the fateful day, just like any other day, Satyavan went to the forest to gather firewood, accompanied by Savitri. While he climbed a tree to cut wood, Satyavan suddenly experienced excruciating pain in his head and descended from the tree. Savitri knew the grim reality that lay ahead.

Gently placing Satyavan's head on her lap, Savitri started soothing him. The servants of the god of death, Yamraj, came there to take Satyavan to the afterlife, but Savitri wasn’t letting him go. It was then that Yamraj himself appeared and began to take Satyavan with him, but Savitri, undeterred, followed them.

Yamraj attempted to convince Savitri, explaining that it was the law of nature. However, Savitri refused to accept his words. Moved by Savitri's unwavering loyalty and devotion to her husband, Yamraj granted her a boon, saying, "O Goddess, you are truly blessed. Ask for any boon you desire."

Savitri made three requests:
1) "Grant divine light to my blind father-in-law and mother-in-law who dwell in the forest," she pleaded. Yamraj obliged and assured her that it would be done. However, Savitri continued her pursuit. Admiring her determination, he told her to ask for another boon.

2) "Restore my father-in-law's kingdom, which has been seized from him," Savitri requested. Yamraj granted her this boon as well, urging her to return. Yet, Savitri persisted. Yamraj was moved by the courage of a mere human-being walking towards the afterlife for her husband, and asked her to make one more wish.

3) Finally, Savitri asked for the blessing of a hundred children and prosperity. Yamraj, unable to deny her, granted this wish too.

Savitri then addressed Yamraj, saying, "Lord, I am a devoted wife, and you have blessed me with the boon of a hundred children. So the boon cannot be fulfilled without my husband by my side." Touched by her unwavering dedication, Yamraj relented and revived Satyavan. As Savitri and Satyavan joyfully returned to their kingdom, they discovered that both sets of parents had attained divine enlightenment. Thus, Savitri and Satyavan ruled their kingdom happily ever after, experiencing eternal bliss and prosperity.

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 2023

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.