On the day of Vat Purnima, married women observe a strict fast to seek blessings for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. They wake up early in the morning, take a holy bath, and wear traditional attire before performing rituals to honor the Banyan tree. The women tie threads around the tree and offer prayers and offerings like coconut, flowers, and turmeric. They also perform a circumambulation of the tree, known as parikrama, while reciting hymns and mantras.
Vat Purnima holds cultural and social importance in Hindu society. It is a day when women come together to celebrate their marital relationships and express gratitude for the love and support of their husbands. The festival serves as a reminder of the sacred institution of marriage, and it reinforces the values of commitment, loyalty, and devotion in married life.
Vat Purnima falls on the full moon day in the month of Jyeshtha, according to the Hindu calendar, which usually corresponds to the month of May or June in the Gregorian calendar.
The auspicious day is celebrated in the northern and western Indian states of Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat.
Savitri-Satyavan katha, which dates back to the age of Mahabharata:
Savitri was born to King Asvapati and his wife Malavi as a blessing from Lord Savitr–she grew up to be a strong, intimidating woman. On being told by her father, she set out to find herself a husband. On her pilgrimage, Savitri met Satyavan, who was destined to die within a year, but she married him nonetheless.
On the day of Satyavan’s destined death, Satyavan suddenly felt weak and died, and his grieving, unwavering wife laid his body under a Banyan (Vat) tree. Yama came to fetch Satyavan’s soul, but an adamant Savitri offered the Lord of Death a praise, who granted her three boons, impressed by her conviction and choice of words–limiting the boons to everything but Satyavan’s life.
With the first boon she asked for her in-laws to be reinstated in their kingdom with full glory, and with the second boon she asked for a son for her father. She used the third boon to ask for children, putting Yama in a dilemma, who finally agreed to keep Satyavan alive owing to Savitri’s persistence and dedication.
The happy wife went back to the Banyan tree, and circled around it ceremoniously, after which Satyavan woke up as if from a deep sleep.