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Time For The Festivity
The 'Amavasya' (last day of the dark fortnight) in the month of 'Jyestha'
is known as "Savitri Amavasya" or "Savitri Brata".
This day is most auspicious for the married Hindu women with husbands
alive. They observe it as a vow with great devotion and pray for the long
life of their husbands.
The Legend Behind The Brata
The Brata has been named after Savitri. In 'Mahabharata' and other
puranas the romantic episode of 'Savitri-Satyaban' has been elaborately
narrated with ideological veneration. Savitri was the beautiful daughter
of king 'Aswapati' of 'Madra Desa'. She was unparallel both in virtue and
beauty. As a suitable groom couldn't be found out, her father gave her
complete freedom to choose her own partner in life.
With a band of veteran ministers she travelled many countries and
religious centres in search of a suitable partner, but couldn't find one
of her choice. While returning desperately a handsome young man caught her
eyes. He was engaged in cutting wood in a jungle. The young man was no
other than Satyaban, a prince in exile who was living in the forest with
his blind father 'Dyumatsen'. Savitri selected him as her life's partner.
But 'Narada' forecasted that he would die young. Then the king asked his
dear daughter to select another. But, Savitri was firm in her
determination and ultimately married him. She left the palace and lived
with her husband and the in-laws in the forest. As a devoted wife and
daughter in-law she took all pains to take care of them.
Gradually the ordained time for the death of Satyaban drew near. One day
while cutting wood in the jungle his head reeled and he fell down from the
tree and then expired on the lap of his beloved wife, Savitri. Then
appeared 'Yamraj', the death God to take away the soul of Satyaban from
his body. Savitri deeply hurt pleaded to Yamraj not to be separated from
her husband. If at all he would take away the soul of her husband she
would also follow. Yamraj was taken aback at such a request and explained
that it was impossible.
Instead he wanted to grant three boons. Savitri cleverly asked for three
boons and Yamraj, in haste, conceded to it. Savitri could regain the
kingdom of her father-in-law by his first boon; get back the eyes of her
in-laws by the second boon. The third boon was that she would be the
mother of hundred sons and without a husband it was impossible. As a Sati,
she can't take another husband. Yamraj, being out witted and moved by the
devotion of Savitri returned the life of her husband. Satyaban came to
life again and both of them lived happily thereafter.
In deep regards to Savitri all Hindu women observe this festival
worshiping and propitiating her as a 'Devi'. The morale of the festival is
to teach the women to be virtuous devotional and painstaking like Savitri
to make worldly life happy and peaceful.
Main Ritual
In the early morning the women take purificatory bath and wear new
clothes, new bangles and apply vermilion on the forehead and the
hair-parting line. Images of Savitri are never made. The grinding stone
('Sila-Pua') is represented as Savitri and worshipped. Wet pulses and
rice, mango, jackel fruit, lemon, banana and several other fruits are
offered as 'Bhoga' (offering). After observing fasting for the whole day
they simply take the Bhoga. In the afternoon when all formalities of
worship are over they bow low to their respective husbands and elderly
people.