Vat Savitri is a one-day fast and a Hindu festival celebrated by married women in India. Women from northern and western regions of India particularly celebrate Vat Savitri to pray for the longevity and good health of their husbands. According to the Hindu calendar, the fast is observed on the Amavasya of the Jyeshtha month.

The Vat Savitri fast falls on the day of Savitri, which originated in the name Savitri, a wife devoted to determination. Satyavan, her husband, was resurrected due to Savitri.

DATE AND TIMINGS

• Vata Savitri Amavasya on Monday, May 26, 2025
• Vat Savitri Purnima Vrat on Tuesday, June 10, 2025
• Amavasya Tithi Begins – 12:11 PM on May 26, 2025
• Amavasya Tithi Ends – 08:31 AM on May 27, 2025

POOJA AND RITUALS ON VAT SAVITRI

The Vat Savitri puja is characterised by some simple yet elaborate rituals, and they begin at an early morning hour.

Initially, the wife needs to wake up early and take a holy bath. After that, they wear new or their finest traditional attire, generally in the colour red or yellow, which is an indication of happiness in marriage. And in keeping with the fast of Vat Savitri, women also need to dress up in jewellery and bangles, which are an indication of an Indian married woman.

After this is complete, women start their day-long fast and refrain from consuming food and water. This fast is like Savitri’s resolve and dedication to their spouse’s long life and well-being.

Then, in the afternoon and evening, the Vat Puja is performed. The Vat or Banyan Tree is a representation of a long, healthy life, and is therefore revered. Women encircle the tree, and the tree is decorated with threads, red cloth, and flowers. The married women then circumambulate the tree, binding threads around its trunk while chanting a prayer.

Once the thread is done, women gather to sit down and listen and read to the ‘Vat Savitri Katha’, which happens to be the story of Satyavan and Savitri.

BREAKING THE FAST

The fasting breaks in the evening after all the rituals are over. Some may take a light meal, but others take certain foods which are related to the festival as well as the area they are in.

FOOD DURING AND AFTER FASTING

While most women like to drink nothing but water throughout the fast, some other ladies eat something sattvic and healthy. While fasting and after opening the fast, women will generally have some fruits like bananas, apples, and so on, and nuts like almonds and raisins for some energy.

After the fast is broken, there are jaggery and sesame seed sweets, and in a few families laddoos and barfis are also prepared for the women by the mothers-in-law, or the senior female members of the family.