Jyeshtha Purnima
Also called: Vat Purnima, Devasnana Purnima
In Maharashtra, Gujarat, and South India, married women observe Vat Purnima on this day, worshipping the sacred Banyan tree (Vata) and praying for their husbands' longevity, inspired by Savitri's devotion. In Odisha, it is celebrated as Devasnana Purnima, the grand ceremonial public bath of Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra, and Subhadra at Puri.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Shukla Paksha
- Lunar month
- Jyeshtha
- Deities
- Goddess Savitri, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Satyanarayana
The story
The Mahabharata narrates how Savitri, through unshakeable devotion and sharp wisdom, persuaded Yama, the lord of death, to restore the life of her deceased husband Satyavan beneath a Banyan tree. In Puri, temple lore recounts that this was the appearance day of the divine murtis.
Practices
- Wrapping raw cotton thread around the trunk of a Banyan tree seven times
- Offering seasonal summer fruits such as mangoes, jackfruit, and soaked black gram
- In Puri, bathing Lord Jagannatha with 108 pots of sacred herbal water, followed by the Gajanan (elephant) besha
Regional variations
- North India observes Vat Savitri Vrat on Jyeshtha Amavasya, whereas Western and Southern India observe it on Jyeshtha Purnima
Common questions
- Why do North and West India observe Vat Savitri on different days?
- It is a difference of regional custom, not of calendar system. North India keeps the fast on Jyeshtha Amavasya, while Western and Southern India keep it on Jyeshtha Purnima, about two weeks later.