Vat Savitri Vrat: Know when and why it is celebrated, katha time, what to eat

India Today

26-05-2025

The Vat Savitri Vrat is an important and sacred festival celebrated by married Hindu women, particularly in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. In 2025, this festival will be observed on Monday, May 26. The vrat honours Goddess Savitri, who is revered for her unwavering determination and dedication in reviving her husband, Satyavan.On this day, women pay homage to the Vat (Banyan) tree, wind threads around its branches, and pray for their husbands' good health, prosperity, and longevity. Most women undertake a strict fast, and some observe a waterless fast, known as a nirjala vrat.advertisementWhile fasting is a crucial element of this vrat, it's also important to be mindful of the foods to eat and avoid maintaining energy levels and stay healthy. Whether you choose to keep a partial fast or a full fast, this article will guide you on how to properly observe the Vat Savitri Vrat in 2025.
DATE, PUJA MUHURAT, RITUALS, AND FASTING VIDHIAccording to the Hindu Panchang, Jyeshtha Amavasya for the year 2025 will start on May 26 at 12:11 PM and will continue till May 27 at 8:31 AM. Vat Savitri Vrat will fall on Monday, May 26, 2025.The Puja Muhurat to conduct the principal ceremonies is from 8:52 AM to 10:25 AM. Outside of this, the Abhijit Muhurat, which is very good, lies between 11:11 AM and 12:46 PM. The other suitable time for puja is in the afternoon, i.e., between 3:45 PM and 5:28 PM.advertisementOn this day, wives sit beneath the Vat Vriksha (banyan tree) to pray. They either hear or read the tale of Savitri and Satyavan, and do parikrama (go around the tree) and encircle a raw cotton string around the trunk of the tree. This is said to ensure the longevity, good health, and prosperity of their husbands.WHAT TO EAT DURING VAT SAVITRI FASTYou may have dry fruits and seasonal fruits such as banana, grapes, apple, watermelon, etc., during the fastSinghade atta puris, jaggery sweet puris, and murabba may also be consumedIf you are witnessing a Jal Aahar, you can consume milk, coconut water, and fruit juices.But remember, nothing has to be consumed or ingested before the Vat Savitri puja. You can have all these only after the puja (Fasting rituals could be different depending on the place and family customs).Yahan Padhein Vat Savitri Vrat Katha Bohot samay pehle ki baat hai. Bhadra Desh naam ke rajya mein Ashwapati naam ke raja aur unki rani Malawati rehte the. Unke ghar ek sundar aur tejwali kanya ka janm hua, jiska naam unhone Savitri rakha. Savitri bohot buddhimaan, dharmik aur sundar thi.Jab Savitri vivaah yogya hui, to uske pita ne use swayam apna var chunne ki chhutti di.advertisementSavitri ne Satyavan naam ke ek rajkumar ko apna pati chun liya. Satyavan ek vanvaasi raja Dyumatsen ke putra the, jo kisi kaaran apna rajya kho chuke the aur ab van mein rehte the. Lekin ek badi samasya yeh thi ki ek bhavishyavani ke anusar Satyavan ki mrityu ek saal ke andar hone wali thi.Par Savitri apne faisle par drid rahi aur usne Satyavan se vivaah kar liya.Vivaah ke baad Savitri apne pati aur sasural walon ke saath jungle mein rehne lagi. Vah sabka poora dhyan rakhti thi aur seva mein lagi rehti thi.Jis din Satyavan ki mrityu hone wali thi, us din Savitri ne vrat rakha aur Vat vriksha ke neeche baith kar pooja ki. Jab Satyavan lakdiyaan kaatne jungle gaya, to Savitri bhi uske saath chali gayi. Thodi der baad Satyavan ke sir mein tezz dard hua aur vah Savitri ki god mein let gaya.Tabhi Yamraj, jo mrityu ke devta hain, Satyavan ki aatma lene aaye.Savitri ne Yamraj ka peecha kiya aur unse prarthana ki ki wo Satyavan ki jaan wapas de dein. Pehle to Yamraj raazi nahi hue, par jab unhone Savitri ka prem, samarpan aur buddhi dekhi, to wo prabhavit ho gaye.advertisementUnhone Savitri ko teen var maangne ka vachan diya.Pehla var: Savitri ne apne sasur ka khoya hua rajya wapas maangaDusra var: Sasur-saas ki aankhon ki roshni wapas maangiTeesra var: Usne apne liye 100 putron ka vardaan maangaYamraj ne bina soche samjhe teeno var de diye. Par jab Savitri ne kaha ki bina pati Satyavan ke woh maa kaise ban sakti hai, to Yamraj ko apni galti ka ehsaas hua.Tab unhone Satyavan ko jeevan daan de diya.