वटपौर्णिमा व्रत... Worship of Banyan tree

Indian culture has been heavily influenced by Dharmik religions wherein all the traditions are related to the nature and the season. The culture binds us uniformly with nature. Living in harmony with Nature has been an integral part of Indian culture. 

Vatpurnima Vrat is one of the festival that is celebrated in India where married women worships the Banyan tree. Vat means Banyan tree and Purnima means Full moon hence the name. This ritual is performed in the morning by the married women for the long life of the husband. This festival is mostly celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Bihar in India.

On this day,  married Women observe a fast for whole day and tie threads around a banyan tree and pray for the well-being of their husbands.

Mythology:

In Hinduism, a legendary couple Savitri and Satyavan are known for their love and devotion to each other. Princess Savitri is a daughter of king Ashvapati who rules the Madra kingdom. She was very beautiful, humble and virtuous girl. When she reaches the age of marriage, no man asks for her hand, so her father tells her to find a husband on her own. Later, Savitri chose a prince named Satyawan. 

Satyawan was the son of a blind king named Dhrimatsen of the Shalva kingdom. Defeated by the enemy, the king was living in the forest with his queen and son. 

Lord Narad knew that Satyavan's life was only one year thus, he advised Savitri not to marry him. But Savitri did not agree and she married to Satyavan. She came to the forest and started serving her in-laws with her husband. 

Three days before the foreseen death of Satyavan, Savitri takes a vow of fasting and vigil. While Satyavan is splitting wood, he suddenly becomes weak and lays his head in Savitri’s lap. Servants of Lord Yam (God of Death) come and return without the soul of Satyavan due to Savitri's holiness. Then, Lord Yam himself comes to claim the soul of Satyavan. Savitri follows Yama as he carries the soul away. She praises the obedience of Dharma and impressed Lord Yam by both her content and style. Later, Lord Yam granted life to Satyavan and blesses both of them to attain a long life.

Pooja Samagri:

Haldi-kumkum, Green bangles, black beaded thread, a long thread to tie around the tree, scent, Incense sticks, Diya, camphor, Panchamrut, puja cloth, betel leaves, supari (betel), Durva, Prashad of jaggary and coconut, any seasonal fruit (mango), photo of Savitri maata.

Puja Vidhi:

• On the occasion of Vat Purnima, Women should get up early morning and perform all daily rituals, like bathing and regular prayers to God. Women should fast for the entire day. Usually, women wear a tradition attire (Saari) on this day.
• After this, decorate pooja thali for the worship of banyan tree.
• First of all, Woman should make a resolution that "May my husband and I live a healthy and long life".
• Offer prayers to Lord Ganesha by establishing the betel nut on the betel leaves.
• Place a photo of Maata Sati Savitri (if photo is not available one can establish betel nut as Maata Savitri) and worship it with haldi-kumkum, akshada, green bangles, black texture as auspicious ornaments and offer prayers to her.
• Offer Prashad of jaggary and coconut, a mango.
• Perform aarti.
• Wrap a triple cotton rope around the Banyan tree and make seven rounds.
• Chant following mantra while taking rounds

• Fill Oti of five married women with mango and whole wheat after puja.
• Read Savitri Katha in the evening at home by inviting few women at your place.

If it is not possible to worship the actual tree, one can take the image of the banyan tree or a branch of tree and perform pooja at home.

The festival celebrates Savitri’s loyalty and dedication for her husband and the women observing the fast hope to achieve similar qualities and wish for a better and longer life for their husbands.