The day of Vat Savitri is considered very auspicious for Hindu married women. This year, it is being celebrated today, on June 6, which is a Thursday. According to the beliefs, it is performed for the husband’s long life and good fortune in their lives. Do women who are menstruating observe the fast? See what a renowned pandit has to say.
On the occasion of Vat Savitri, women not only keep a fast but they also worship the banyan tree. According to Pandit Veena Devi, in the vat (banyan tree), Lord Brahma is believed to reside in the tree’s root, Lord Vishnu in the body while Lord Shiva or Maheshwar resides in its leaf and Savitri Mata’s place is in the tree.
The question arises, can women observe Vat Savitri Vrat during periods? The answer is yes, they can keep fast. But they have to follow some steps first, as explained by the pandit Veena Devi. On the morning of the Vat Savitri day, married women should take a bath, then adorn themselves with 16 shringar and offer prayers to the Gods. But keep in mind that the worship material is not to be touched, instead it should be given to another married woman. She can engage in worship with all the materials, while the menstruating woman can listen.
As per more beliefs, Mata Parvati was the first woman to observe this fast, which was then followed by all the suhagans or married women. The fast is done to protect the husbands from any calamity or crisis, and their long life.
As part of the Vat Savitri worship, the women bind a kalava band around a banyan tree and circumambulate it. After that, they offer worship to Mata Parvati; the puja involves singing of bhajans.