Vata Savitri Vratha

 Festival - Savitri Vratha

This festival falls during June (Jyeshta month full moon day).  Legend has it that Savitri after penance could get back the life of her husband on this day. 

So this vratha or puja is performed on this day for the welfare of the spouse.  After the puja five married women are invited to the house and offered haldi-kumkum with mangoes. After fasting from morning a feast is arranged in the afternoon with kheer (sweet porridge ).

A portrait of Savitri is decorated with turmeric, kumkum, cotton garland (called vastra ) and flowers It is also called Vata Savitri Vratha (probably because Vata refers to fig tree )

                                                          

Story of Vata Savithri Pooja 

King Aswapathi who ruled over Bhadra Desa had no issues .  He worshipped Savithri Devi .  By Her grace a girl child was born.  Hence the King named her Savithri.  

As years passed by Savithiri grew into a   beautiful woman with extraordinary intelligence  The King searched for a suitable bridegroom for his daughter.  Savithiri wanted to marry Satyavan son of King Dyumatsena .  She spoke highly of him .  She said he possessed valour was learned and had an impeccable character.

Sage Narada who had come to the palace said that Satyavan's life span was short. However Savithri did not yield and the marriage of Satyavan and Savithri was celebrated in a grand manner.

Months passed by .  One day Satyavan fell down in the forest  due to fatigue , Savithiri with her intelligence  asked for four boons and got back the life of her husband.

Hence Vata Savithri Vratha is Pooja offered to Savithri for Sowbhagya