Vat Purnima Vrata is observed on the full-moon day of the Jyeshtha month (Hindu Calendar) which falls in May or June (mostly June) of the Georgian calendar. This Vrata (vow) is like a festival for married women as it is observed by Hindu married women only. This Vrata is observed mainly in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka in India.

Vat is the name of a tree which is also known as a banyan tree. It is a national tree of India. Savitri is the heroine of a legend famous in India who brought the life of her husband back from Yama, the God of Death. She did this on the Purnima of the month of Jyeshtha, hence this day is celebrated as Vat Purnima. It is believed that if a married woman does this Vrata by heart, she would get the same husband for the next seven births and this would increase the life of her husband in this birth also.

Vat Purnima is also called Wad Purnima, Wat Purnima, and Vat Savitri. On this day, married women do Pradikshana (moving around an object in a clockwise direction in a circular fashion) around the banyan tree thus wounding the white thread around the tree. They pray to the banyan tree for the longevity of their husbands. They offer some fruits and food as Naivedyam to the tree. Married women observe fast on this day.

Vat Savitri Legend: It is an interesting story to know how the festival of Vat Savitri was started. Once upon a time in India, there was a happily married couple. The husband’s name was Satyawan and the wife’s name was Savitri. It was foretold that Satyawan would die on the full-moon day of the Jyeshtha month at a particular age of his life. So, on that day, he was resting on the lap of his wife under a banyan tree waiting for his death. Soon, the time came and Yama, the god of death, took away the soul of Satyawan. Savitri loved her husband more than anything, so she started to follow Yama. Yama tried to convince her that how it was necessary and predecided that Satyawan would and it is just a part of nature but in vain. Savitri did not give up following him. Yama got very happy with that endeavor of her and granted her a boon. Clever enough, she asked for a son. Unaware of the trap, Yama granted the boon but soon realized that it was not possible unless her husband is alive again. Hence, he gave back the soul of Satyawan, and Satyawan came to life again. Thus, Savitri defeated death and brought back the life of her husband. Therefore in India, the term Sati Savitri is used for a woman who is extremely devoted to her husband. Therefore, this Vrat is done by a married Hindu woman to increase the lifespan of her husband as well as to get the same husband in the next seven rebirths.

Science and symbolism behind Vat Savitri Vrat: In older times, a Hindu woman was not allowed to remarry even after the death of her husband. Hence, her husband was everything for him. Without him, her life was meaningless. Remaining honest with the husband was a very important virtue for a Hindu woman.

Therefore, you would understand the motive behind this Vrata which is to pray for the long life of the husband and demanding the same husband for the next seven births also.

The Vat tree i.e., banyan tree is known for its longevity. Some banyan trees in India are more than 100 years old. Hence, this tree must have been chosen for the Vrat. The other thing is about the protection of trees. As the Vat tree got religious importance, people did not hurt these trees and hence were religiously protected.

It is believed that revolving around a particular object balances the energy within one’s body. Hence, the concept of Pradikshana must have been added. Another thing is that in ancient times, Hindu women did not get much chance to go out and mix with her other female friends. This festival allows her to mix with her friends and relax for some time. Therefore, Vat Savitri is a great festival for married Hindu women and they enjoy it.