Vat Savitri Puja: A Symbol of Marital Devotion and Nature Worship in Mithila

The symbolic mythological story of 'Savitri-Satyavan' is prevalent in Mithila society as a women's festival. The event of the devoted wife Savitri bringing back her husband Satyavan, who was a victim of untimely death, from Yamraj with the power of her chastity and firm resolve is at the center of this festival and story. Since this event took place under a banyan tree, a tradition of symbolically worshiping the banyan tree was established, which is known as Vat Savitri festival or Barsait festival.

The Barsait festival falls on the day of Amavasya in the month of Jeshtha. This fast is observed by married women for the health and long life of their husbands and for a happy married life. Barsait puja is performed by married women throughout their lives. However, in the first year of marriage, this puja is completed with special fanfare. The first Barsait puja needs to be organized on a grand scale. For the Barsait puja, a large basket filled with new clothes and other puja materials (pahur) is sent from the bride's parental home to the newlywed's home. Such items that are sent as gifts to any relative or friend are called 'Bhaar' in Mithila, which further strengthens the relationship between the two families.

The first Barsait puja is usually organized at the in-laws' house, but there is no restriction on performing it at the parental home according to need or circumstances. However, when Barsait is celebrated at the parental home, the in-laws have a tradition of sending the 'Bhaar' to the parental home.

In Mithila, the Vat Savitri festival is an extremely important religious and cultural celebration. Married women adorn themselves in new red or yellow clothes on this day and observe the Barsait puja. Since the Barsait puja is performed under a banyan tree or symbolically worships the banyan tree, and banyan trees are not found around every house, one has to go to the banyan tree for the puja. Women who cannot go out due to health conditions or other reasons arrange to bring a branch of the banyan tree, plant it in the courtyard for the puja, and after the puja the next day, they immerse it in a reservoir along with the puja remnants. 

The materials for Barsait puja are unique according to the nature of the puja. The materials used in this festival are natural and traditional, reflecting the originality of Mithila. Apart from the flowers and leaves for the puja, all other puja materials come in the 'Bhaar'. The items that come in the 'Bhaar' include a 'biyani' (hand fan) made of bamboo, a 'daali' (basket), a 'paatil' (pot), 'kanya-putra' (figures of bride and groom made of cloth or clay, symbolizing Savitri and Satyavan), a small clay pot filled with puffed rice (lava), with 14 'bad' (a dish made of urad dal) tied at its mouth, banyan fruit, thread (rakshasutra), vermilion, kohl, turmeric powder, rice flour (for arpan), soaked chickpeas, mango, banana, and other seasonal fruits. 

Barsait puja is performed during the day. Married women take a bath, wear new clothes, take general puja materials in a basket, go to the banyan tree, and offer water, flowers, sandalwood, incense, lamps, and offerings to the banyan tree and worship it, and then tie the banyan tree repeatedly with a rakshasutra and fan it with a 'biyani'. For them, the Barsait puja is completed in this manner. However, the Barsait puja performed by newlyweds takes about two prahars (about 6 hours).

For the puja performed by newlyweds, an 'arpan' is made under the banyan tree or in the courtyard. The 'arpan' depicts the banyan tree, Savitri-Satyavan, Yamraj, and his vehicle (buffalo). Women from the neighborhood are invited to the Barsait puja. There is a good crowd of women during the puja. The Barsait puja begins and concludes with traditional folk songs. Songs are also sung during the puja. After the proper worship of the banyan tree and tying of the rakshasutra, the story of Vat Savitri is heard. During the puja, they tie the banyan tree with rakshasutra 108 times or as per their capacity and tie a 'raksha sutra'. After the puja, there is a tradition of fanning the tree with a 'biyani'.

The prasad of Vat Savitri puja is not just food but a beautiful blend of religious faith and health science. The most essential prasad for this puja is soaked raw chickpeas. In some places, soaked rice and moong dal are also offered. It is said that Savitri, while following Yamraj, observed a fast for three days without food, eating only chickpeas and fruits. Therefore, this prasad represents her sacrifice and devotion.

During the puja, and especially under the banyan tree, the songs sung by the devotees in groups are filled with devotion, dedication, and prayers for the long life of their husbands. When the Barsait puja begins, songs of praise to Goddess Bhagwati and Gauri are sung. Then, traditional Barsait songs are sung. Barsait songs often describe romance, husband-wife love, the specialty of Barsait puja, Savitri's courage, and her love for Satyavan. 

Songs like 'Barsait pujava ham yau sajana...', 'Nahi jau ah panpiya videsh yau..', 'Chalu chalu sakhi kairake shringar pujan batabriksha...' are found in such songs. Especially in the songs sung by newlyweds during their first Barsait, there is more enthusiasm and joy. 'Bar gaachhak paat, Savitri sati bheli ho, Satyavanak praan, Yam san phira anali ho...'

The story of Savitri and Satyavan is a very inspiring mythological tale mentioned in the Vanaparva of the Mahabharata, which illustrates the power of love, marital fidelity, and firm resolve.

Savitri, the daughter of King Ashwapati of Madra country, was very beautiful and virtuous. While searching for a groom for herself, she chose Satyavan, who lived in the forest. Satyavan was the son of King Dyumatsen of Salva country, who had been living a life of asceticism in the forest after his kingdom was usurped.

After Savitri chose Satyavan, the celestial sage Narada predicted that Satyavan had only one year left to live. King Ashwapati urged his daughter to choose another groom, but Savitri said, 'I have accepted him as my husband with all my heart, and I will marry him no matter what.' On the day Satyavan was supposed to die, she went with Satyavan to the forest to cut wood. While cutting wood in the forest, Satyavan suddenly fell ill and died with his head in Savitri's lap.

After Satyavan breathed his last, Yamraj arrived there. As Yamraj was taking Satyavan's soul towards the south, Savitri also started following him. Yamraj repeatedly urged Savitri to turn back, but Savitri impressed Yamraj with her intelligence and knowledge of dharma. Pleased, Yamraj asked her to ask for three boons, excluding Satyavan's life. Savitri asked for her father-in-law's eyesight and lost kingdom back, a hundred children for her father, and that she be the mother of a hundred sons. Yamraj, annoyed by Savitri's persistence, immediately granted her wishes. However, when Savitri argued that it was impossible for her to become a mother without Satyavan, Yamraj realized he was bound by his own word and reluctantly returned Satyavan's life.

Satyavan was reborn under the banyan tree, which is why the tradition of worshiping this tree in gratitude was established. This story describes Savitri's cleverness and courage, who even defeated the god of death.

There is no tradition of observing a fast during the day in Barsait puja. Meals are taken after the puja. Sattvic food is consumed in this puja, which is believed to keep the body and mind pure. Fasting all day in the heat of Jeshtha leads to a lack of water and energy in the body. Soaked chickpeas provide immediate energy to the body after breaking the fast and aid in digestion. In Barsait, invited women are offered 'khir pudi', and only then do the fasting women eat 'khir pudi' themselves. All women observing Barsait do not eat food on the night of the puja.

This festival provides an opportunity for women to gather collectively, sing folk songs, and share happiness among themselves. It reflects the respect for women's power in society and the sanctity of the marital bond.

According to the Vrat Katha, when Satyavan died, Savitri had hidden his body at the root of the banyan tree so that no wild animal would harm it. The banyan tree protected Satyavan's body by providing its vast shade. Therefore, after bringing back Satyavan's life from Yamraj, Savitri first thanked the tree and worshiped it. The banyan tree is known for its size, longevity (Akshayavat), and hanging roots (pillar roots). It is considered sacred in Hinduism and is believed to be the abode of the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva). The banyan tree is an evergreen tree that can spread over a large area. Roots grow from its branches into the ground, forming new branches.

Worshiping the banyan tree bestows longevity. In Ayurveda, the bark, milk, leaves, and fruits of the banyan tree are used to treat wounds, gum problems, and skin diseases. It emits a large amount of oxygen, and its leaves are used as fodder for animals during times of famine.

In Mithila, there is a tradition of worshiping nature. In Mithila, followers of Sanatan Dharma plant banyan and peepal trees for religious merit, take care of them, and when they grow large, they perform the marriage ceremony of both trees. In Mithila culture, marrying the banyan and peepal trees is not just a religious ritual but also a symbol of the deep relationship between nature and humans.

In Hinduism, the banyan tree is worshiped as Lord Shiva and the peepal tree as Lord Vishnu. The marriage of these two conveys the message of the sanctity of married life, harmony, and procreation in society. Planting and marrying banyan and peepal trees in Mithila is considered a great act of 'punya' (merit). It is believed that just as children are married, marrying trees liberates ancestors and brings fame to the performer. Village communities gather for such wedding festivals, share feasts, and exchange collective happiness, thereby strengthening social harmony and unity.