Vat Savitri 2026: Date, time, puja rituals and significance

One of the most well-known festivals observed by married Hindu women is Vat Savitri. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana are the states where this event is primarily observed. According to drik Panchang, Vat Savitri falls on Amavasya Tithi in the month of Jyeshtha i.e., May 16, 2026. Shani Jayanti is also celebrated on this specific day. Amavasya Tithi Begins - May 16, 2026 - 05:11 AMAmavasya Tithi Ends - May 17, 2026 - 01:30 AMVat Savitri holds a great religious significance among Hindu married women. They observe fast on this auspicious day for their husbands' longevity and well-being. Amavasya tithi falls on Vat Savitri, hence it is celebrated as Vat Amavasya. Women seek blessings and offer prayers to Vat Vriksha, the banyan tree. Vat Vriksha is regarded as one of the most sacred trees in Hindu scriptures. Married women offer prayers to this tree since it is believed to be the home of three major Hindu gods; Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.In northern India, the Vat Savitri festival is highly significant and is observed to ask Mother Savitri for favors. According to Hindu texts, Savitri is thought to have wed the short-lived Satyavaan. Yamraaj, the lord of death, came to kill Satyavaan one day when he was working in the forest. After a while, Savitri arrived at the jungle and saw her husband dead, where she also spotted Yamraj. She began to follow him and begged Yamraj to return her husband's life, but he refused. She declined once more when Yamraj requested her to return. Then Yamraj asked her for three blessings: first, the sight of her father-in-law; second, the lost kingdom of her father-in-law; and third, the ability to bear 100 sons. After bestowing all three blessings upon her, Yamraj departed, but he did not yet depart from her husband's life. When Yamraj asked Savitri why she was pursuing him again after he had bestowed all the required blessings, Savitri responded that she could not become the mother of 100 sons if she would not grant her husband's life. Yamraj returned Satyavaan's life after acknowledging his defeat. 1. Before beginning any rituals, women get up early and take a bath.2. Adorn yourselves with jewelry and dress in elegant, traditional sarees and outfits.3. Prepare satvik food for bhog prasad and bring flowers, haldi, kumkum, kalash filled with water, and kaccha soot, a sacred white raw thread.4. Go to a temple that offers Vat vriksha, light a diya with Desi ghee, and present everything to the deity. Offer up prayers for the husband's health.5. Walk around the tree seven times before tying the white raw thread around it.6. Women should ask the Lord for favors and accept blessings from older family members.