Patna: Dressed in vibrant traditional attire and adorned with sixteen bridal ornaments (solah shringar), married women across Patna observed the sacred Vat Savitri fast on Monday. They gathered around banyan trees in parks, temples, and neighbourhoods to pray for the longevity and well-being of their husbands.
The fast, rooted in ancient Hindu tradition, was marked by the tying of raksha sutra (protective thread) around the tree, group hymns, and multiple circumambulations of the sacred Vat (banyan) tree. Worshippers offered rice, flowers, fruits, incense, and other items to the tree, considered divine and life-giving in Hindu mythology.
Rare planetary conjunction on Vat Savitri
This year’s observance was considered especially auspicious due to the rare alignment of Shobhan Yoga with Krittika and Bharani Nakshatras. Many women performed the rituals during the Abhijit Muhurat between 11:20 am and 12:14 pm, considered the most powerful time of the day.
Mythological and spiritual significance
According to Pandit Rakesh Jha, as cited from the Skanda Purana, the Vat Savitri fast brings blessings of unbroken marital bliss, healthy progeny, and protection from marital misfortunes. The banyan tree is believed to possess the power to challenge even death — much like the legendary Savitri, who won back her husband’s life from Yamraj, the god of death.
In mythological belief, Yamraj once returned Satyavan’s life to Savitri in the form of gram (chickpeas). Since then, sprouted gram has become a symbol of life and is a vital part of Vat Savitri rituals.
A living connection to nature and mythology
The banyan tree, revered for its spiritual energy, was worshipped with fans made of cloth and leaves, symbolising reverence for nature. According to scriptures, each part of the banyan — root, bark, leaves, and even its shade — is believed to purify and heal.
As women performed their rituals and shared folk songs beneath the tree’s vast canopy, the city echoed with devotion and traditional grace, celebrating the enduring spirit of love, sacrifice, and resilience rooted in Indian mythology.
