Gracy Singh as Santoshi Maa
Jaipur, May 20, 2020.
Vaṭapurṇima, also known as Vat Savitri, is observed by married women
across many parts of North India for the well-being, prosperity and longevity
of their husbands. Based on the story of Savitri, the day is about a wife's
sheer determination to bring back her husband from the clutches of the God of
death. The prayer offered for Vat Savitri can be observed at the community
level or even while at home. It begins on the Trayodashi day of Jyeshtha month
and ends on Purnima.
Speaking about the Katha of Vat Savitri Sati, Gracy Singh, who
plays Santoshi Maain &TV's Santoshi MaaSunayeVratKathayeinsays,
"Known as the great Sati, this day honours Savitri for her utmost
devotion towards her husband. The daughter of King Ashvapati was in love with
Satyavan and married him despite knowing that he has a short life. Post
marriage she started praying daily for the long life of her husband. One day
when Satyavan was resting under a Banyan tree, he suddenly passed away. When
Yama came to take away his soul, Savitri stood against it. Yama in exchange for
her husband's soul granted her three wishes one after another, redeeming her
third wish she asked for a child with Satyavan, and he granted it. Stunned with
the witty response and the love she had for her husband; the God of death restored
his life. Satyavan woke up under the same Banyan tree and since then this day
is known as 'Vat Savitri Vrat'."
On this occasion, women listen and narrate the Vat Savitri Katha and
offer prayers to the Banyan Tree by tying a red or yellow colored thread around
it. Known as Vat Vriksha, the tree is the symbolic representation of Trimurti;
the root stands for Lord Brahma, the stem for Lord Vishnu and canopy for Lord
Shiva. Speaking about the significance of this vrat, Tanvi Dogra who
plays Swati in &TV's Santoshi MaaSunayeVratKathayein says, "Married
Hindu women in North India observe the Vat Puja for the good health, success
and long life of their husbands. The fasting is based on the devotion and
determination shown by Savitri to win back her husband Satyavan from the
clutches of Yama (God of death).
The prayer and pujas associated with Vat Savitri are observed at the
community level or individually at home. The wife observes fast and dresses in
bridal attire to offer prayers to the Banyan tree. Water, akshat, incense
sticks, lamp, kumkum and flowers are offered to the Banyan Tree post which the
woman ties a red or yellow coloured cotton thread around the tree. It ends with
parikrama of the tree with the chant of prayers. It is a four-day fast where
fruits can be consumed in the first three days and on the fourth-day post
offering water to the moon; women break their fasts, and come together to offer
prayers to Savitri and listen to the story of Savitri and Satyavan."