Going round cities, you would have seen banyan trees being worshipped by women. Ever wondered why they tie red or white threads around the tree? Nature perhaps has some answers, since it has always played a major role in Hindu religious practices, not merely in the physical sense, but also as symbols. So it becomes a metaphor of life’s dependence on something beyond mankind, and takes the form of trees, plants, even animals.
The legend
Saturday was full moon day, the last one in the month of June. It was the conclusion of an extended period for austerity rites for some communities. This essentially represents the time to pray for longevity of the lives of husbands, as some orthodox families believe that women should not outlive their husbands. So, on the last full moon day, a ‘Vat Savithri puja’ is performed to symbolise this belief. And, like all practices, this too has an unusual and touching tale.
Savithri was the beautiful daughter of King Ashwapathi of ‘Madra Desha’. She was sent to the forest where the sages lived. There she fell in love with a woodcutter named Satyavan, formerly a prince, but living in exile in the forest with his blind father Dyumathsen. Despite astrologers warning her that Satyavan had only a year to live, Savithri goes against everyone’s wishes and marries him. She then goes to the forest to live with her in–laws.
A year later, one day, while cutting wood, Satyavan feels exhausted and giddy and decides to rest under a ‘Vat vriksha’ or banyan tree. He soon falls asleep. Lord Yama appears with a noose to take him to netherworld. But Savithri would have none of that; she pursues Yama, arguing with him till Yama, pleased with her intelligence, grants her three boons. Anything but Satyavan’s life, he says and Savithri has no option but agree.
She proceeds to state her three wishes: Restoration of father-in-law’s kingdom, restoration of his sight, and a son for herself. Yama is foxed by the last request, since Savithri cannot have a son without her husband, so he returns Satyavan’s life. And they lived happily ever after.
This legend is celebrated in earnest by some families and communities in the Gangetic plains, parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Even unmarried daughters are expected to go through certain austerities which culminate in offering worship at the banyan tree, drinking a bit of the banyan root juice and water.
After that, the women prepare ‘Amras’ which is eaten with special rotis. Mangoes numbering 33 are given away to 33 women on this day.
Some families still follow this tradition, but most others give arisina-kumkuma to married women and girls of marriageable age on this day.