Vat Savitri Vrat Vidhi (Banyan Tree Puja)
Vat Savitri Vrat (May 16, 2026, Jyeshtha Amavasya) is observed by married Hindu women for their husband's long life and family prosperity. It commemorates how Savitri rescued her husband Satyavan's soul from Yama (the god of death) through her unwavering devotion, wisdom, and love.
Jyeshtha Amavasya, May 16, 2026 (coincides with Shani Jayanti)
Begin at Brahma Muhurat — Banyan tree puja from 7 AM to 10 AM — End fast at 6 PM or after starlight appears
→ When is it observed? See the date & significance
Puja Samagri (Items Required)
- Red thread (mauli)
- 5 fruits (mango, banana, grapes, coconut, lychee)
- Betel leaves and betel nut (supari)
- Incense sticks and dhoop
- Earthen lamp and ghee/mustard oil
- Water pot
- Red sindoor
- Akshata (rice with turmeric)
- White sandalwood paste
- Sweets (peda, ladoo)
Puja Procedure — Steps
Pre-Dawn Bath at Brahma Muhurat
Wake 2 hours before sunrise. Bathe and wear red or yellow clothes. Apply full marital adornments — sindoor, bindi, bangles.
Sankalp — Taking the Vow
Hold water, akshata, and flowers in your palms. Take the vow (sankalp) for your husband's long life, health, and family prosperity.
Go to the Banyan Tree
Carry puja materials and go to the nearest banyan tree. If a banyan tree is unavailable, establish a branch with banyan leaves at home.
Offer Water at Banyan Tree Root and Puja
Offer water at the base of the banyan tree. Apply red sindoor, sandalwood, and akshata to the tree. Place betel leaves, supari, and sweets. Light the earthen lamp.
Tie Red Thread (7 or 21 Circumambulations)
Hold one end of the red mauli thread and wrap it around the banyan tree while circumambulating 7 or 21 times. With each round, pray for your husband's long life.
Vat Savitri Vrat Katha Recitation
Recite or listen to the complete Vat Savitri Vrat Katha — how Savitri outwitted Yama and retrieved Satyavan's soul. After the katha, give dakshina to a Brahmin.
Seek Blessings from Elders
Touch the feet of your mother-in-law and elder married women. Bless each other with 'Saubhagyavati Bhava' (may you remain blessed with marital happiness).
Prasad Distribution and Breaking the Fast
Distribute prasad (fruits and sweets) among all family members. Break the fast in the evening after starlight appears, by drinking water from your husband's hands.
Pitru Tarpan (New Moon Ancestral Offering)
Since this is also Jyeshtha Amavasya, male family members offer water and sesame (tarpan) to ancestors facing south. Donate food to the poor in ancestors' memory.
Main Mantra
Om Savitryai Namah Satyavatyai Namah Vat Vrikshaya Namah Om Yamaya Namah
Benefits of this Puja
Long life and excellent health for the husband, happiness and prosperity in married life, blessings of children, liberation of ancestors, enduring marital bliss
