Vat Purnima

Vat Purnima falls in the month of Jyeshtha (May–June). In Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa it is observed on Jyeshtha Purnima. In North India, Vat Savitri Vrat is observed on Jyeshtha Amavasya. The Vat (banyan) tree is considered sacred because it lives for centuries and is seen as a symbol of longevity, stability and marital bond. Its roots are associated with Brahma, its trunk with Vishnu, and its branches with Shiva.
Women dress in traditional attire, often a nine-yard saree in Maharashtra, wear bangles, sindoor, mangalsutra and other marks of married life, and gather at banyan trees to perform the puja together.

In the Mahabharata, the story of Savitri and Satyavan (the Pativrata Mahatmya Parva or Savitri Upakhyana) is told by Sage Markandeya to Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas.Long ago, King Ashwapati of Madra, who had no children, performed penance for eighteen years and was blessed by Goddess Savitri with a daughter, whom he named Savitri. When she grew up, she travelled to the forest and chose Satyavan, the son of the blind and exiled King Dyumatsena, as her husband. The sage Narada warned that Satyavan was destined to die exactly one year after the marriage, but Savitri refused to choose another and married him, living humbly in the forest and serving her in-laws. As the fatal day approached, she observed a strict fast and went with Satyavan to gather wood. There, he grew weak and died in her lap beneath a banyan tree. Yamraj, the god of death, came to take his soul, but Savitri followed him without turning back. Impressed by her wisdom and devotion, Yamraj offered her boons except her husband’s life. With the first boon, she asked for her father-in-law’s eyesight and kingdom to be restored. With the second, she asked for a hundred sons for her father. With the third, she asked for a hundred sons of her own born of Satyavan, and Yamraj said “Tathastu” without realizing the trap. Savitri then smiled and asked how she could have sons without her husband. Bound by his word, Yamraj released Satyavan’s soul. Satyavan woke up beneath the banyan tree as if from sleep, and his father regained his sight and kingdom. In remembrance of Savitri’s courage and devotion, married women fast and worship the banyan tree every year on Vat Purnima for the long life of their husbands.

Early morning bath: Wake up before sunrise, take a bath (traditionally with sesame seeds and amla) and wear clean traditional clothes.
Sankalp (Resolve): Take a vow to observe the fast for the long life and well-being of your husband and family.
Adornment: Wear new or clean clothes, bangles, sindoor, bindi, mangalsutra and other traditional ornaments.
Prepare the puja thali: Arrange all the samagri on a plate and carry it to a banyan tree (or use a branch or picture if no tree is accessible).
Clean the area: Clean the base of the tree, apply turmeric and kumkum, and draw a small rangoli.
Invoke the deities: Place images of Savitri-Satyavan (or Brahma-Savitri) near the tree and offer worship.
Offerings to the tree: Pour water at the roots, then offer rice, flowers, fruits, sweets and soaked gram (chana).
Light lamp and incense: Light a diya and incense sticks, and offer haldi-kumkum to the tree.
Parikrama (Circumambulation): Wrap a raw cotton thread (kaccha sutra) around the trunk while walking around it 7 times (some traditions do 5, 11 or 108 rounds), praying as you go.
Hear the Katha: Listen to or read the story of Savitri and Satyavan.
Aarti: Perform aarti of the banyan tree and the deities.
Blessings: Seek the blessings of elders, especially the mother-in-law, and offer her fruits, sweets or a gift.
Donation (Daan): Donate food, clothes, fruits, bangles or money to Brahmins, the needy or married women (suhagin).
Breaking the fast: Break the fast after the puja, usually in the evening, with a satvik meal. Traditionally the banyan leaf and soaked gram are eaten first.