VATA SAVITRI VRAT- JETH KR13
The person who worships Savitri on the 14th day of the Krishan Paksha will dwells in the Brahma for 7 manvantaras with glory. The person acquires great beauty and strength and long life, knowledge and wealth.
On the 13th day the Trayodashi tithi of these day or on the other 14th day of the Krishna Paksha. This vow is to be observed with great care and devotion. 14 fruits and 14 plates with offerings of food on them, flowers and incense are to be offered and this vow is to be observed for 14 years.
Garments, holy thread and other articles are also offered after the vrat is over, the Bhramins are to be fed. Kaalsha is to be worshipped with leaves and coconut in the sacred place. Ganesh, Agni, Vishnu, Shiva are to be worshipped duly.
The main mantra of Savitri is
AUM SHREEM HREEM KLEEM SAVAITRAI SVAHA.
The fast of Vrat Savitri is observed on the 13th day of the Krishna Paksha and on Purnima of Jeth. The Hindu married women keep this fast for the long life and well being of their husbands. See the article of Vata Purnima.
The main features of this Vrat, observed by married women (whose husband are alive) are: sankalpa or resolve, worshipping a Vata tree (banyan tree) with several upacaras, worship of Yama and Narada and giving presents to the priest. The fast is broken the next day.
On the Full Moon day of Jyestha, inspired by the legend of Savitri, married women worship the Banyan (vata) tree for long and happy married life. Savitri was a princess who fell in love with Satyavan an exiled king. The sages warned against the marriage, for they knew Satyavan was fated to die within a year.
Savitri could not be dissuaded and her father gave them permission to marry. They couple lived in a forest, and exactly as fate had ordained a year later, Satyavan fell ill.
Savitri was nursing him under a Banyan tree when Yamaraj (the god of death) came to claim Satyavan. Yama carried Satyavan away, and Savitri followed, they crossed from the land of the living into the land of the dead.
After hours of walking, Yama realized Savitri could not be discouraged. Yama offered Savitri a boon; her small request exploited a loop in the cycle of life and death. She asked for a dozen children who would ease the pain of losing her husband.
Yama had to restore Satyavan to life. On Vata Purnima day, women wind a thread around the trunk of a Banyan tree to symbolize the request for a long life with their husbands.
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