Married Women Celebrate Vat Savitri Festival in Mithilanchal

Janakpur-Married women across the Mithilanchal region are celebrating the cultural and religious festival of Vat Savitri, also known as Barsait, today with prayers for the long life of their husbands and blessings for children.

The festival is observed every year on the new moon day of the Nepali month of Jestha. Since early Saturday morning, large numbers of women have gathered under banyan trees in different places to offer prayers and perform rituals.In Mithila culture, the festival is regarded as a symbol of ideal womanhood. Women wear new clothes and traditional jewelry while taking part in the worship ceremonies. The occasion is especially important for newly married women. As part of the tradition, the groom’s family sends worship materials, clothes, and other gifts, known as “Pahur,” to the bride.

In Hindu tradition, the banyan tree is considered sacred, similar to the peepal tree. During the festival, fasting women wrap raw cotton thread around the banyan tree, perform religious rituals, and listen to the legendary story connected with the occasion.

The festival is believed to protect womanhood and bring blessings of children. According to Hindu mythology, Savitri brought her husband Satyavan back to life from Yamaraj, the god of death, through her devotion, faith, and intense penance.To honor this legendary and spiritual story, the Vat Savitri festival has been celebrated with joy and devotion in the Mithilanchal region since ancient times.