Why do women tie threads around the banyan on Vaṭa Sāvitrī — and is it on Amāvasyā or Pūrṇimā?

to honour Sāvitrī, who won back her husband’s life under a banyan; the North keeps it on Jyeṣṭha Amāvasyā, Maharashtra, Gujarat and the South on Jyeṣṭha Pūrṇimā.

The banyan (vaṭa) is long-lived and is said to hold Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva, which is why married women worship it for their husband’s long life and the family’s well-being. They offer water, kumkum, soaked gram and fruits, wind a raw cotton thread around the trunk while circling it (seven, 21 or 108 times), and hear the story of Sāvitrī and Satyavān.

In North India, Bihar and Nepal it is Vaṭa Sāvitrī Amāvasyā; in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka it is Vaṭa Pūrṇimā, fifteen days later. Both are valid — follow your region.

In cities without a banyan nearby, women worship a banyan branch or a picture at home, or join others at a temple. The fast may be nirjalā, phalāhāra or one meal according to custom and health.

Tradition says when Yama came for Satyavān, Sāvitrī followed him, and her wisdom and steadfastness won boon after boon until Yama returned her husband’s life.

Story source: Mahābhārata (Vana Parva) · Amāvasyā (North) or Pūrṇimā (West and South)

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