Vat Savitri 2025: Vrat katha, date, fasting timings, significance and all you need to know
Vat Savitri 2025: Vat Savitri Vrat is a significant Hindu festival observed by married women. Marking this sacred occasion, women observe a day-long fast and perform rituals around the banyan tree, offering heartfelt prayers for their husbands' well-being and enduring happiness. From date to history, here's all you need to know. (Also read: Memorial Day 2025: 40+ meaningful quotes and messages to honour and remember the fallen on Memorial Day )
This year, the auspicious festival of Vat Savitri is being observed on Monday, May 26. As per Drik Panchang, the favourable timings to perform the rituals and observe the fast are as follows:
Amavasya Tithi begins -12:11 PM on May 26, 2025
Amavasya Tithi ends -08:31 AM on May 27, 2025
According to Hindu scriptures, Satyavaan was destined to have a short life, yet he married a devoted young woman named Savitri. One day, while Satyavaan was working in the forest, Yamraj, the god of death, appeared to take his soul. When Savitri found her husband lifeless, she encountered Yamraj and began to follow him, pleading for her husband's life. Despite his repeated refusals and requests for her to turn back, she remained steadfast and continued to follow him.
Impressed by her unwavering devotion and determination, Yamraj offered Savitri three boons, excluding her husband's life. For the first, she asked for her blind father-in-law's vision to be restored; second, for the return of his lost kingdom; and third, the blessing of becoming a mother to 100 sons.
Yamraj granted all three wishes, but Savitri continued to follow him. When Yamraj questioned her persistence, she cleverly pointed out that she couldn't have 100 sons without her husband. Moved by her intelligence and devotion, Yamraj finally relented and restored Satyavaan's life.
Vat Savitri is one of the most revered Hindu festivals, observed with deep devotion by married Hindu women. On this sacred day, they worship the banyan tree, praying for their husbands' health, longevity, and prosperity. The day is marked by a strict fast and the recitation of the legendary tale of Savitri and Satyavaan, symbolising unwavering love and dedication. Vat Savitri Vrat is observed on two significant lunar phases, Amavasya Tithi and Purnima Tithi.
Women in Maharashtra traditionally observe the fast on Purnima, while those in North India follow it on Amavasya. In Hinduism, the banyan tree holds immense spiritual significance, as it is believed to be the abode of the holy trinity, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. Regarded as immortal and ever-giving, the tree is seen as a symbol of longevity and wish fulfilment.
Women tie sacred threads around the tree, circle it, and offer prayers, believing that its blessings bring stability and happiness to their married life. Along with worshipping the tree, they also pray to Goddess Savitri, seeking her blessings for strength, resilience, and a blissful marital life.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
Video: Nripendra Misra Gives NDTV Exclusive Tour Of New Portion Of Ram Temple
New Delhi: The pending rituals of the Ayodhya Ram temple following its completion, and consecration of the other temple complexes in the perimeter, took place with grand ceremonies on Wednesday and Thursday. On this occasion, Nripendra Misra, chairman of Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Nirman Samiti - the organisation tasked with building the temple - gave NDTV an exclusive tour of the Sapta Mandal of the temple complex, explaining the structures, the deities in them and their significance in the Hindu pantheon. On Wednesday, the seven temples including the Ram Darbar, were consecrated. The Ram Darbar is located on the first floor of the main temple, where the idol of Raja Ram has now been installed. On 22 January last year, the idol of Ram Lalla - loctaed in the ground floor -- was anointed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today, the consecration of the Raja Ram idol - along with Sita, Laxman, Bharat, Shatrughan and Hanuman -- took place amid Vedic chants. The second floor of the main temple has also been completed. But the Trust has decided that no idol is to be installed in it - at least for now. "The floor will house rare manuscripts of Ramayana," Mr Misra said. Mr Misra told NDTV that around 4.5 lakh cubic feet of red stone from Bansi hill of Rajasthan has been used to build the entire temple. After the Ram Darbar was installed on the first floor, the golden peaks of the temple was completed. Golden Peaks Of Five Pavilions Mr Misra said the temple has five pavilions, all crowned with golden peaks which are now completed. The main peak stands at a dizzying 161 feet - equal to a building with 15 floors. Below it stands the sanctum sanctorum where the idol of Ramlala stands. The temple is now completed, he told NDTV. Only some details of cleaning and polishing are left, which are being done by machines. The rampart has twice as many stones as the temple. Mr Misra said the five mandaps of the temple are now open to the public. The main temple has a 1-km rampart, which also works as a walkway to circumambulate the complex and connects the six other temples. 8.5 lakh cubic stones have been used in the rampart -- double the amount tone used in the main temple. The Parikrama Marg, he said, will be completed by September. Along with that, departments handling the temple security, control room, donation room, prasad and office that are in the basement of the rampart, will be completed. Initial plans for the temple were modest What stands at the Sapta Mandap today, was conceived in a very scale initially, Mr Misra said. "No one had any idea that the Supreme Court would give 71 acres and the public would contribute 100 per cent for the temple. The government has not spent a single penny in this. All the contribution has been made by our countrymen from home and abroad. This money has been used for construction and it was not estimated that so much money would come and we got ambitious and the plans expanded," he said. The rampart was a later addition Mr Misra said the idea of building a rampart connecting all seven structures also came later -- "after the end of Covid in 2023". He said after learning that in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, big temples have ramparts, they decided to emulate the system here. A Message Of Social Harmony Mr Misra said once Prime Minister Narendra Modi was reviewing the construction of the temple, he said Lord Ram had two forms - as God himself and as "Maryada Purushottam". Lord Ram was "Maryada Purushottam" because he maintained social harmony in his kingdom in his lifetime since childhood, associating with every class of people . "If you build temples of those associated with the life of Lord Ram, then today's generation will know how he maintained social harmony and did so since childhood," Mr Misra said, quoting the Prime Minister. Sacred Lake The temple premises also has a sacred lake, around which people can come and meditate, Mr Misra said. The lake is considered holy and it is extremely important under Vaastu. The water in it remains fresh through a plant that has installed near it.
India Today
7 hours ago
- India Today
6 important things to know about Nirjala Ekadashi 2025
6 important things to know about Nirjala Ekadashi 2025 By Chaitanya Dhawan Nirjala Ekadashi is considered the most sacred and rigorous of all Ekadashi fasts in the Hindu calendar. Observed without food or water, this vrat falls during the peak of summer and is believed to offer the spiritual benefits of all 24 Ekadashis combined. Wanda Maximoff Nirjala Ekadashi is known for being the strictest of all 24 Ekadashis in the Hindu calendar. Devotees observe a complete fast without food and water, making it physically and spiritually intense. 1. The Most Rigorous Ekadashi Fast The word Nirjala translates to 'without water' in Sanskrit. Unlike other Ekadashis, where water or fruits may be consumed, this fast is observed without even a sip of water for 24 hours. 2. 'Nirjala' Means 'Without Water' In 2025, Nirjala Ekadashi will be observed on June 6, falling on the 11th day of the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, typically during extreme summer — making the waterless fast even more challenging. 3. Falls on Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in Jyeshtha Month The origin of Nirjala Ekadashi is tied to Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers. Unable to observe all 24 Ekadashis, he was advised by Sage Vyasa to observe this one Ekadashi with full dedication to gain the virtue of all the others combined. 4. Associated With Bhima from Mahabharata It is said that observing Nirjala Ekadashi with true devotion and discipline can wash away past sins and bestow salvation (moksha). The vrata is considered highly meritorious in Hindu dharma. 5. Believed To Wash Away All Sins On this day, Lord Vishnu is worshipped with prayers, bhajans, and Tulsi leaves. Many people read the Vishnu Sahasranama and engage in acts of charity, especially donating water, clothes, and food to the poor. 6. Devotees Worship Lord Vishnu
News18
9 hours ago
- News18
Nirjala Ekadashi 2025: Know Fasting Rules And The Right Time To Drink Water
Last Updated: Nirjala Ekadashi: This is the only Ekadashi in the year where both food and water are strictly prohibited, making it the most difficult among all 24 Ekadashis observed annually Nirjala Ekadashi is regarded as one of the most significant and challenging fasts in the Hindu calendar. This year, it falls on June 6 and 7. On June 6, householders will observe the fast, while Vaishnav devotees will observe it on June 7. Many devotees often wonder whether water can be consumed during Nirjala Ekadashi fast. According to Dr Krishna Kumar Bhargava, an astrologer from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, the answer lies in the name itself — ' Nirjala ' means 'without water'. This is the only Ekadashi in the year where both food and water are strictly prohibited, making it the most difficult among all 24 Ekadashis observed annually. What Happens if You Drink Water During Nirjala Ekadashi? If a person observing the Nirjala Ekadashi fast consumes water, even by mistake, the fast is considered broken and fruitless. Legend has it that even Bhimsen, one of the five Pandavas known for his immense appetite, observed this waterless fast. This is why Nirjala Ekadashi is also referred to as 'Bhimaseni Ekadashi'. It is believed that by observing this fast with full discipline and devotion to Lord Vishnu, one can wash away sins and attain salvation. In fact, scriptures suggest that even if someone does not observe any other fast throughout the year, keeping Nirjala Ekadashi once in a lifetime is equivalent to observing all 24 Ekadashis and grants entry to heaven. When Can Water Be Used? Even in achamana, the quantity of water should not exceed six ' masey ' (a traditional unit of measurement), as advised by Ved Vyas to Bhimsen. Consumption of food, fruits, juices, or any form of liquid is completely prohibited. When Can You Drink Water? People observing the Nirjala fast often drink water the next day after sunrise, but this can break the fast if done before Hari Vasara ends. For those fasting on June 6, Hari Vasara ends at 11:25 AM on June 7. Water can only be consumed after this time. The Parana (breaking of the fast) time for householders is between 1:44 PM and 4:31 PM on June 7. Drinking water or eating before 11:25 AM will invalidate the fast. For Vaishnavs observing the fast on June 7, water can be consumed after sunrise on June 8. Since Hari Vasara ends on June 7, Parana should be done between 5:23 AM and 7:17 AM on June 8, before the end of Dwadashi Tithi.
