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Friday 25 April 2014

Vat Savitri

Vat Savitri is a festival in which women observe a fast and pray for the good health and long life for their husband.This is the 25th story in the series of A2 Z challenge.





This is an important festival for women belonging to Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka. This festival is observed by women for a long and healthy life of their husbands. They worship the  banyan  tree and tie a thread (vat) round it.

According to a legend a pious lady Savitri was married to Satyavan. It  was ordained that Satyavan would not live a long life. One day when he was lying down with his head on Savitri’s lap, he died. When  the messanger of  Yama, the God of Death, came to  take Satyavan,  Savitri did not allow him. Several messengers came but did not succeed in taking away Satyavan. Finally Yama himself appeared and appealed to Savitri . He offered a boon to Savitri. She demanded  the welfare of her in-laws, which was granted to her. But still Yama could not take away Satyavan. Yama offered her another boon, through which she demanded her parents’ good health. This was also granted.  She did not change her mind and was adamant in her request. Yama offered her a third boon. In response Savitri asked for a son, which was granted. But there was a problem. How could she conceive without her husband.  Yama was impressed by her determination and returned Satyavan’s soul to her.


Women observe a fast at night. Early morning  they water the tree, sprinkle kumkum on it and wrap  cotton threads around the tree. They have seven rounds of the tree and pray for their husband. An old lady among them, narrates the story of Savitri and Satyavan. After this they break their fast.                            


Threads tied round a Banyan Tree.

Old ladies, when they bless their daughters/daughters-in-law, say, "May God  bless you like Sati Savitri".


Word 280
Pic courtesy Google

31 comments:

  1. i have heard about karwa chauth but this is again something new for me! thanks for sharing ma'am :)

    http://swathishenoy.blogspot.in/2014/04/v-for-victorious.html?m=1
    a-z participant

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  2. This vrat is much like the karva chauth of South, and is observed on Jyestha- purnima or the full moon of the Jyestha month of hindu calendar. Nowadays it is hard to find a banyan tree and most people use a photograph for Puja.

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    1. The spirit of all such festivals is the same----b Long life and well being of the husbands.

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  3. This is really nice, Usha ma'm :) In Tamil Nadu, and in those parts of Kerala where Tamil Brahmins reside, another version of the same concept is celebrated as Karadaiyaan Nombu. We make a sweet pancake of rice and jaggery and offer it to god with butter :D and tie a yellow thread, just like the mangal sutra :)

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    1. Sreeja thank you very much. The concept behind all festivals is the same in all the states.

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  4. Yes, quite a popular festival it is in many parts of the country. A nice choice for V :) And i just love the sight of Vat vriksha - Banyan tree...there are several in our area. Some quite old ones.

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    1. Thanks Beloo.Some banyan trees are even more than hundred years old.

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  5. India has a lot of interesting culture and traditions. Me... Iam against Vrat of any kinds :)

    PhenoMenon
    http://throodalookingglass.com/2014/04/voices/

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    1. Yes there are many festivals which depict the rich culture of the country. Fasting is the prerogative of an individual.

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  6. Another festival, or rather a story told..I wish one day husbands celebrate a festival where they pray for their wives health ... not sure if there is any such festival in India?

    V for Violated-Random Thoughts Naba

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    1. never heard of such a festival. But have seen many husbands fasting along with wives on karva chauth and other fests.

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  7. In our community, ladies keep Hartalika Teej's fast for the long life of their husbands. Also in most of the north India there is Karwa Chauth. I got to know the third type of fast for husbands vat- savitri here! More or less somewhere these are common rituals and beliefs followed by whole of India. Just names and dates are different...

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    1. Yes you are correct. The fast is observed throughout the country. The names and dates are different. Welcome Shesha to my site

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  8. amazed at the sheer amount of festivals we celebrate!! we have one for every rhyme and reason!!

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  9. Ah yes.. Vat Savitri.. very famous here in Gujarat !!

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    1. Yes, I heard that in Gujarat it is celebrated with great vigour.

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  10. Yes, this is Karadaiyaan Nombu in TN. One festival I am very attached to. So is my daughter, but more for the sweet adai ;) Thanks for choosing this festival for V :)

    ~Shailaja's 'V' post

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  11. yes ma'am. It is similar to the karva chauth of the north. We in south, tie yellow thread around neck.

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    1. Thanks Asha. In India a fast for the husband is kept in all States. Only names differ.

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  12. Thanks for this fascinating look at India's traditions. I'm learning something new all the time, since starting this challenge. ☺

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    1. Thanks Debbie. Glad to know that you are taking so much interest in our festivals.

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  13. Yet another interesting festival to know about :)

    ~S(t)ri Writes

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  14. All the festivals have their charm and uniqueness,tying people with the thread of love and affection to oneness.Nice topics madam, and thank you for such information for us.I hadn't heard about it, but really interesting.

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    1. Thanks Sarala for your words appreciation.

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  15. Please let me know, a fasting of Vat Savitri day from what time to what time? (no eat but if drink milk, it is ok?)

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