*~*Celebrating The Vows Of Marriage: Happy Savitri Pooja*~*

Savitri Pooja or Savitri Amavasya or Vat Purnima is a traditional festival celebrated in different states of India such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab. In Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it is known as Karadaiyan Nonbu.

Vat Savitri Pooja is observed by married women for longevity of their husbands. This festival is dedicated to the legendary married woman, Savitri who succeeded in getting back the life of her dead husband, Satyavaan from the Lord of Death, Yama.

The story of Savitri and Satyavan is part of the epic Mahabharata. King Aswapati of Madra Desa had a beautiful daughter named Savitri. She got married to Satyavan, a prince in exile who was living in the forest with his blind father, Dyumtasen.  Savitri left the luxuries of palace and started living in the forest with her husband and in-laws. She was a devoted wife and dutiful daughter-in-law.

One day, Satyavan fell down from a tree and passed away. As soon as Satyavan died, the God of Death, Yama appeared and took the soul of Satyavan from his body. Savitri started following Yama. When Yama asked her why is she following him, she said she can't live without her husband and she too wants to die. Yama said he can't take her soul away from her body because she still has time to live.

Savitri still didn't leave Yama. Yama then said that he can grant her three wishes to leave him. Savitri's first wish was her father-in-law Dyumtasen should regain his eyesight. Yama said, "Tathastu meaning "So be it/ wish granted.

Savitri's second wish was her in-laws regain their lost kingdom. Yama again said, "Tathastu

Savitri's last wish was she wants to be a mother. Yama once again said, "Tathastu. Savitri then asked him how can she be a mother without her husband. She then told him that he has to fulfill her third wish by returning the life of her husband Satyavan.

Impressed by Savitri's sheer determination and love for her husband, Yama returns the life of Satyavan and makes him alive.

This day is remembered for Savitri's undying strong love for her husband Satyavan that even defeated Death.

On this day, wives observe fast, put on bridal dresses and elegant jewelry.

They pray to God for the long life and prosperity of their husbands by tying sacred threads around the trunk of a banyan tree and circumambulating or doing parikrama 7 times around the tree. This ritual is called as Peepal Pooja.

They also listen to the legend of Savitri and then offer water to the tree and spread red vermilion on it.  

We Crazy Creatives wish all married women of IF a very Happy Vat Savitri Pooja.

  

The place where I am from, we don't celebrate this, so I didn't know much about it. Thank you so much for such a beautiful post  🤗

I didn't know about Savitri pooja fasting. We don't do this one in my place. Its supposed to be very auspicious day .

It is always good to know aboutdifferent rituals in our culture  😛

Very happy to say your thread is very interesting to read.