Know the Importance of Vat Savitri Puja 2022

Vat Savitri Puja or Vat Savitri vrat is an auspicious Hindu day when married women fast and pray for the health and life of their husbands. The fast is named after Savitri, who rescued her spouse from Yama’s clutches (death).

Tieing threads on the Vat (banyan) tree is one of the most significant ceremonies of the day. The Vat Savitri Purnima puja will be held on June 14, 2022.  Fasting starts two days before Purnima or Amavasya in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha (June – July) and lasts three days.

Vat Vriksha (Banyan Tree) and Savitri are the names of the fasting. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are all symbolised by the Banyan Tree. Brahma is the root of Vat Vriksha, Vishnu is the stem, and Shiva is the top section.

The story behind Savitri Puja

According to legend, Princess Savitri, the daughter of Bhadra Kingdom King Aswapati, fell in love with Satyavan, a woodcutter. But Satyavan was doomed to die within a year, and Rishi Narada informed Savitri of this. Despite this, Savitri chose to marry Satyavan and live in the wilderness with him.

Satyavan died after falling from a tree, as foretold. The deity of death, Yamraj, appeared to take him away. Savitri told Yamraj that she would accompany his spouse to yamlok. Yamraj attempted all he could to persuade her not to accompany him, but his attempts were fruitless, and Savitri remained steadfast.

Yamraj was finally touched by Savitri’s love and brought Satyavan back to life. Satyavan is said to have died beneath a Vat or Banyan tree on the full moon day in the month of Jyeshtha.

Savitri prayed with Yamraj beneath the Banyan tree, and Yamraj arrived. In remembrance of this occasion, ladies travel around the Banyan tree 108 times, tying threads and fasting for their husbands’ health and longevity.