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Ganesh Chaturthhi:Ganpati Indian Festival
Ganesh Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the elephant-headed god, Ganesha. Chaturthi (Hindi चतुर्थी) means "fourth day" or "fourth state". Celebrations are traditionally held on the fourth day of the first fortnight (Shukla Chaturthi) in the month of Bhaadrapada in the Hindu calendar, usually August or September in the Gregorian calendar. The festival generally lasts ten days, ending on the fourteenth day of the fortnight (Anant Chaturdashi).
The festival is celebrated in public and at home. The public celebration involves installing clay images of Ganesha in public pandals (temporary shrines) and group worship. At home, an appropriately-sized clay image is installed and worshiped with family and friends. At the end of the festival, the idols are immersed (and dissolve) in a body of water such as a lake or pond.
It is celebrated throughout India, especially in Maharashtra. There is a grand celebration in the state of Maharashtra by traditional instrument called dhol and tasha. It is also celebrated in the other parts of India such as Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and other parts of western and southern India. Abroad, Ganesh Chaturthi is observed in the Terai region of Nepal and by the Hindu diaspora in the United States, Canada and Mauritius.
The festival begins with the selection and installation of a clay murti (idol). At home, families decorate a small, clean corner with flowers and other colourful items before installing the idol. Public preparations begin weeks in advance with temporary structures (such as mandapas and pandals) funded by contributions from local residents and businesses. When the idol is installed, it and its shrine are decorated with flowers and other materials.
In preparation for the festival, artisans create clay models of Ganesha for sale. The idols range in size from 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) for homes to over 70 ft (21 m) for large community celebrations.
In the consecration ceremony, a priest performs a Prana Pratishtha to invite Ganesha into the idol. This is followed by the 16-step Shodashopachara ritual,[6] (Sanskrit: Shodash, 16; Upachara, process) during which coconut, jaggery, modaks, durva (grass) and red flowers are offered to the murti. Throughout the ceremony, hymns from the Rigveda, the Ganapati Atharvashirsa, the Upanishads, and the Ganesha stotra (prayer) from the Narada Purana are chanted. Aartis are performed with friends and family, typically in the morning and evening.
At home:-
In homes, families install small clay statues for worship during the festival. The idol is worshiped in the morning and evening with offerings of flowers, durva, karanji and modaks. The worship ends with the singing of an aarti in honour of Ganesha, other gods and saints. In Maharashtra the Marathi aarti "Sukhakarta Dukhaharta", composed by Samarth Ramdas in the 17th century, is sung.
In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi is known as Chavath in Konkani and Parab or Parva ("auspicious celebration"); it begins on the third day of the lunar month of Bhadrapada. On this day Parvati and Shiva are worshiped by women, who fast. Instruments such as ghumots, cymbals and pakhavajs are played during the ceremonies.The harvest festival, Navyachi Pancham, is celebrated the next day; freshly-harvested paddy is brought home from the fields (or temples) and a puja is conducted. Communities who ordinarily eat seafood refrain from doing so during the festival.
In Karnataka the Gowri festival precedes Ganesh Chaturthi, and people across the state wish each other well. In Andhra Pradesh, Ganesha idols of clay (Matti Vinayakudu) and turmeric (Siddhi Vinayakudu) are usually worshiped at home with plaster of Paris idols. In Tamil Nadu the festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Pillayar Chaturthi, falls on the fourth day after the new moon in the month of Āvaṇi in the Tamil calendar. The idols are usually made of clay or papier-mâché, since plaster of Paris idols have been banned by the state government. Idols are also made of coconuts and other organic products. They are worshiped for several days in pandals, and immersed in the Bay of Bengal the following Sunday. In Kerala the festival is also known as Lamboodhara Piranalu, which falls in the month of Chingam. In Thiruvananthapuram a procession marches from the Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple to Shankumugham Beach, with tall statues of Ganesha made from organic items and milk immersed in the sea.
Family traditions differ about when to end the celebration. Domestic celebrations end after 1, 1 1⁄2, 3, 5, 7 or 11 days, when the idol is brought to a body of water (such as a lake, river or the sea) for immersion. Due to environmental concerns, a number of families now avoid bodies of water and let the clay statue dissolve in a container of water at home. After a few days, the clay is used in the home garden. In some cities a public, eco-friendly process is used for the immersion.
In public:-
Public celebrations of the festival are popular, and are organised by local youth groups, neighborhood associations or groups of tradespeople. Funds for the public festival are collected from members of the association arranging the celebration, local residents and businesses. The Ganesha idols and accompanying statues are installed in temporary shelters, known as mandaps or pandals. The festival features cultural activities such as singing, theater and orchestral performances and community activities such as free medical checkups, blood-donation sites and donations to the poor. Ganesh Chaturthi, in addition to its religious aspects, is an important economic activity in Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. Many artists, industries, and businesses earn a significant amount of their living from the festival, which is a stage for budding artists. Members of other religions also participate in the celebration.
Ganesh Chaturthi or "Vinayak Chaturthi" is one of the major traditional festivals celebrated by the Hindu community. It is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). Typically the day falls sometime between August 20 and September 15. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi, and is traditionally celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha is the son of Shiva (The God of Destruction in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) and Parvati (Shiva’s consort). The cutest and most lovable Indian God, Ganesha or Ganpati has the head of an elephant on which rests an elegant tiara, four podgy hands joined to a sizeable belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object - a trishul or a trident in one, an ankush or goad (made from his very own broken tooth) in another, a lotus in the third and a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by modaks, his favourite sweet) in the fourth. Revered as the deity of auspiciousness and wisdom, Lord Ganesha is also famous for being a trickster and for his profound sense of humour.
It is believed that Lord Ganesh was born on a fourth day (chaturthi) of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Magh. Since then, an association between Ganesh and chaturthi has been established. Thus the festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha on this chaturthi day is named as Ganesh Chaturthi.
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Raksha Bandhan:Indian Festival
Rakhi: The Thread of Love:-
In India, festivals are the celebration of togetherness, of being one of the family. Raksha Bandhan is one such festival that is all about affection, fraternity and sublime sentiments. It is also known as Raksha Bandhan which means a 'bond of protection'. This is an occasion to flourish love, care, affection and sacred feeling of brotherhood. Not a single festival in India is complete without the typical Indian festivities, the gatherings, celebrations, exchange of sweets and gifts, lots of noise, singing and dancing. Raksha Bandhan is a regional celebration to celebrate the sacred relation between brothers and sisters. Primarily, this festival belongs to north and western region of India but soon the world has started celebrating this festival with the same verse and spirit. Rakhi has become an integral part of those customs.
An insight of Rakhi Rituals:-
On the day of Rakhi, sisters prepares the pooja thali with diya, roli, chawal, rakhi thread and sweets. The ritual begins with a prayer in front of God, then the sister ties Rakhi to her brother and wishes for his happiness and well-being. In turn, the brother acknowledge the love with a promise to stand by his sister through all the good and bad times.
Sisters tie Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers amid chanting of mantras, put roli and rice on his forehead and pray for his well-being. She bestows him with gifts and blessings. In turn, brothers also wish her a good life and pledges to take care of her. He gives her a return gift. The gift symbolizes the physical acceptance of her love, reminder of their togetherness and his pledge. The legends and the reference in history repeated, the significance of the festival is emphasized.
Unconditional Bond of Love:-
Raksha bandhan has been celebrated in the same way with the same traditions for many years. Only the means have changed with the changing lifestyle to make the celebration more elaborate and lively. This day has an inherent power that pulls the siblings together. The increasing distances evoke the desire to be together even more. All brothers and sisters try to reach out to each other on this auspicious day. The joyous meeting, the rare family get-together, that erstwhile feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood calls for a massive celebration.
For everyone, it is an opportunity to reunion and celebrate. People also share tasty dishes, wonderful sweets and exchange gifts. It is a time to share their past experiences also. For those who are not able to meet each other, rakhi cards and e-rakhis and rakhis through mails perform the part of communicating the rakhi messages. Hand made rakhis and self-made rakhi cards are just representation of the personal feelings of the siblings.
The festival of Raksha Bandhan is entirely dedicated to the love and affection shared between a brother and a sister. On this day, sisters pray for long life of their brothers and ask God to bless them with his blessings. Brothers, in turn, give them enticing rakhi gifts and promise to care life long. This custom has been there since time immemorial. Various other believes are associated with Rakhi and therefore, people follow certain custom and tradition to celebrate this festival.
The festival of Rakhi has taken a broader significance worldwide as it spreads harmony and bring together the family members under one roof. Rakhi stands for the love between brothers and sisters, the bond of love that they have shared since their childhood. This festival holds immense significance in India. The custom of celebrating raksha bandhan started in ancestral period and even today people consider it must to express their affection in traditional manner. Rakhi has strengthen the bond of love between brothers and sisters.Raksha Bandhan is also called Rakhi Purnima or simply Rakhi or "Rakhri", in many parts of India. The festival is a Hindu festival and is also a secular festival which celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters.
Raksha Bandhan as a religious festival focuses on performing the aarti and saying prayers prior to tying the rakhi. The prayers draw inspiration from the Hindu scriptures. The other religious feature is the application of the tilak on the forehead of the person wearing the rakhi.
Significance:-
Raksha Bandhan in Sanskrit literally means "the tie or knot of protection". The word Raksha means protection, whilst Bandhan is the verb to tie. It is an ancient Hindu festival that ritually celebrates the love and duty between brothers and their sisters. The sister performs a Rakhi ceremony, then prays to express her love and her wish for the well being of her brother; in return, the brother ritually pledges to protect and take care of his sister under all circumstances. It is one of the several occasions in which family ties are affirmed in India.
The festival is also an occasion to celebrate brother-sister like family ties between cousins or distant family members, sometimes between biologically unrelated men and women. To many, the festival transcends biological family, brings together men and women across religions, diverse ethnic groups and ritually emphasizes harmony and love. It is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Śrāvaṇa, and typically falls in August every year.
The festival is marked by the several rituals, which vary regionally within India. Typical rituals include:
Prepare for Raksha Bandhan:-
Days or weeks before Raksha Bandhan, women shop for Rakhi, the ceremonial thread to tie around her brother's (or brother-like friend's) wrist. Some women make their own Rakhi. A Rakhi may be a simple thread, woven and colorful; or a Rakhi may be intricate with amulets and decoration on top of it. Sometimes, a Rakhi may be a fancy wrist watch or men's wrist accessory in the form of bracelet or jewelry. Rakhi in the form of a colorful woven thread is most common. Typically the brother too shop for gifts for the sister, ahead of Raksha Bandhan. The gift from the brother can be a simple thoughtful token of love, and may be more elaborate.
Rakhi ritual:-
On the morning of Raksha Bandhan, the brothers and sisters get together, often in nice dress in the presence of surviving parents, grandparents and other family members. If the sister and brother are geographically separated, the sister may mail the Rakhi ahead of the Raksha Bandhan day, along with a greeting card or letter wishing her brother well. The ritual typically begins in front of a lighted lamp (diya) or candle, which signifies fire deity. The sister and brother face each other. The sister ties the Rakhi on her brother's wrist.
Prayer, aarti, promise and food:-
Once the Rakhi has been tied, the sister says a prayer for the well being - good health, prosperity and happiness - for her brother. This ritual sometimes involves an aarti, where a tray with lighted lamp or candle is ritually rotated around the brother's face, along with the prayer and well wishes.
The prayer is a self composed note, or one of many published Rakhi poems and prose. One of the earliest examples of a Rakhi prayer is found in Book V, Chapter V of Vishnu Purana; it is the prayer that Yasoda says while tying a Raksha Bandhan amulet on Krishna's wrist.
Gifts and hugs:-
The brother gives his sister gifts such as cards, clothes, money or something thoughtful. The brother may also feed his sister, with his hands, one or more bites of sweets, dry fruits and other seasonal delicacies. They hug, and the larger family ritually congratulate the festive celebration of brother-sister love and protection.
The brother wear the Rakhi for the entire day, at school or work, as a reminder of their sister and to mark the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
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Aashadi Ekadashi:Waari Pandharpur
Ashadha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is known as Devshayani Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on this day and wakes up after four months on Prabodhini Ekadashi.
Devshayani Ekadashi comes just after famous Jagannath Rathyatra and currently falls in month of June or July on English calendar. Chaturmas, a holy period of four months in Hindu calendar, starts from this day.
Devshayani Ekadashi is also known as Padma Ekadashi, Ashadi Ekadashi and Hari Shayani Ekadashi.
Parana means breaking the fast. Ekadashi Parana is done after sunrise on next day of Ekadashi fast. It is necessary to do Parana within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi is over before sunrise. Not doing Parana within Dwadashi is similar to an offence.
Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara. One should wait for Hari Vasara to get over before breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is first one fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi. The most preferred time to break the fast is Pratahkal. One should avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna. If due to some reasons one is not able to break the fast during Pratahkal then one should do it after Madhyahna.
At times Ekadashi fasting is suggested on two consecutive days. It is advised that Smartha with family should observe fasting on first day only. The alternate Ekadashi fasting, which is the second one, is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and for those who want Moksha. When alternate Ekadashi fasting is suggested for Smartha it coincides with Vaishnava Ekadashi fasting day.
Ekadashi fasting on both days is suggested for staunch devotees who seek for love and affection of Lord Vishnu.
Ekadashi is the eleventh day of the fortnight after a new moon or a full moon, and is considered auspicious for the worship of Lord Vishnu. Ashadha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is known as Devshayani Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on this day and wakes up after four months on Prabodhini Ekadashi.
Waari details:-
IT Dindee volunteers walk every year from Alandi to Pune. This distance is approximately 21 km. The group assembles at Sri Sai Mandir at the outskirts of Alandi. This assembly begins at around 5:30am as later it becomes difficult to reach to this spot. So we recommend everyone to start from their respective homes in Pune at around 4:00am. Last year we have done common bus to take the group to Sai Mandir, we are yet to decide this year’s arrangements looking at the response we will receive from you all devotees. When we assemble at Sai Mandir, first one hour goes in saatsang where everyone sings bhajans. Around 6:30am, we stand on the main road where one can see Sri Sant Dnyaneshwar maharaj palakhi approaching the Sai Mandir. Once palakhi reaches the spot, all IT Dindee members take the darshan of palakhi and start walking towards Pune along with all waarkaries. We all need to observe the utmost discipline and make sure we do not disturb the traditional palakhi norms. There is lot to learn from waarkaries during this devotional march. Usually first one hour is bit crowded when we begin from Sai mandir but later it gets spread along the route as waarkaries stop for the breakfast /lunch etc. We also take lunch break near Vishrantwadi around 1:00pm or so. We reach Shivajinagar at around 4:00pm.
In the scripture Bhavishyottara Purana, god Krishna narrates significance of Shayani Ekadashi to Yudhishthira, as the creator-god Brahma narrated the significance to his son Narada once. The story of king Mandata is narrated in this context. The pious king's country had faced drought for three years, but the king was unable to find a solution to please the rain gods. Finally, sage Angiras advised the king to observe the vrata (vow) of Dev-shayani ekadashi. On doing so by the grace of Vishnu, there was rain in the kingdom.
Pandharpur Yatra:-
This day, a huge yatra or religious procession of pilgrims known as Pandharpur Ashadi Ekadasi Waari Yatra culminates at Pandharpur, in Solapur district in south Maharashtra, situated on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River. Pandharpur is main center of worship of the deity Vitthal, a local form of Vishnu. lacs of pilgrims come to Pandharpur on this day from different parts of Maharashtra. Some of them carry Palkhis (palanquins) with the images of the saints of Maharashtra. Dnyaneshwar's image is carried from Alandi,Namdev's image from Narsi Namdev, Tukaram's from Dehu, Eknath's from Paithan, Nivruttinath's from Trimbakeshwar, Muktabai's from Muktainagar, Sopan's from Sasvad and Saint Gajanan Maharaj from Shegaon. These pilgrims are referred to as Warkaris. They sing Abhangas (chanting hymns) of Saint Tukaram and Saint Dnyaneshwar, dedicated to Vitthal.
Ashadi Ekadasi:-
In the Hindu lunar calendar, Ekadashi is the eleventh day of the fortnight after a new moon or a full moon, and is considered auspicious for the worship of Lord Vishnu. The Ekadashi after the new moon in the Hindu month of Ashada is of special significance to the devotees of Lord Vitthal, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Tradition has it that two of the greatest devotees of the Lord from the state of Maharashtra, Sant Jnaneshwar and Sant Tukaram had set out on a pilgrimage from their respective places to the shrine of Lord Vitthala in Pandharpur and reached the Divine Abode in fifteen days time on this auspicious day of Ashadi Ekadashi. Following the tradition set by these great souls, devotees from the entire length and breadth of Maharashtra, set out for Pandharpur (the abode of Lord Vitthala), wearing basil beads and singing His glory on a pilgrimage to reach there in the stipulated period of fifteen days on this auspicious day to have Divine Darshan. These devotees are known as Varkaris and the pilgrimage is traditionally called Dindi Yatra.
In recent times, the holy festival of ‘Ashadi Ekadashi’ has seen multitudes from the states of Maharashtra and Goa make the pilgrimage to Prasanthi Nilayam to celebrate this important festival in the Divine Presence. Devotees from the states of Maharashtra and Goa commence their Dindi Yatra from the town of Dharmavaram (about 40 kilometres from Puttaparthy) on foot and reach Prasanthi Nilayam, on the morning of Ashadi Ekadashi to have the Darshan and blessings of Bhagawan. This is usually followed by a cultural programme presented by the Bal Vikas children of Maharashtra and Goa.
Chants of "Jai Hari Vitthala" and "Gyanba Tukaram" filled the temple town of Pandharpur with culmination of the 23-day "wari" pilgrimage undertaken by lakhs of pilgrims from across Maharashtra on July 11th on the occasion of Ashadi Ekadashi.
There is no definite information available on the origins of this "wari" tradition, which is a pilgrimage on foot to Pandharpur. However, there are some references about Vitthalpant, Saint Dnyaneshwar's father joining the Wari to visit Pandharpur in the month of Aashaad & Kartik (October / November). So it can be inferred that the state of Maharashtra has seen this tradition being followed since the last 800 years.
The pilgrims known as "warkaris" started the main pilgrimage on 23rd of June from Dehu in Pune district on foot, carrying the palkhi (palanquin) of Saint Tukaram, a renowned devotee of Lord Vitthala, a form of lord Vishnu. This main procession was joined by other palkhis from other towns and villages like the famous Saint Dnyaneshwar palkhi from Alandi.
dfdThese devotees reached Pune on 24th of June, stayed there for three day and left again for Pandhapur on 27th of June. People, young and old travelled barefooted for kilometers chanting the holy names. This pilgrimage presented a perfect amalgamation of people of all castes, creed, class and age. These pilgrims were welcomed and served in all the places they passed. People provided them with food, water, boarding and medical facilities. The local villagers drew rangolis in front of their houses to welcome the palkhis.
yatraOn their way, the pilgrims played musical instruments like veenas, mridungas, dholkis and chiplis. The pilgrims also played the traditional folk dance "fugdi" with their infectious enthusiasm and energy. With the saffron coloured triangular 'paatakas' (flags) in hands and tulsi leaves on their heads the pilgrims presented a perfect picture of the Bhakti tradition of Maharshtra.
These devout pilgrims got the reward for their long journey when they witnessed the "maha puja" of Lord Vitthala and his concert Rukhmini in Pandharpur on the Ashadi Ekadashi day. The maha puja was performed by Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and his wife Satyashila, as is the custom. Speaking to reporters after the puja, the chief minister said that that he prayed to lord Vitthala for good rains across the state for farmers' prosperity, and the state's development in all fronts.
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Vat-Poornima:Indian Festival
वटपौर्णिमा - (Vat Pournima) जेष्ठ पौर्णिमा हा दिवस "वटपौर्णिमा" म्हणून साजरा केला जातो. हे व्रत सुवासिनी अपल्या पतिला उत्तम आरोग्य लाभावे, दीर्घायुष्य प्राप्त व्हावे म्हणून करतात.
जेष्ठ पौर्णिमा हा दिवस "वटपौर्णिमा" म्हणून साजरा केला जातो. हे व्रत सुवासिनी अपल्या पतिला उत्तम आरोग्य लाभावे, दीर्घायुष्य प्राप्त व्हावे म्हणून करतात.
वटपौर्णिमेच्या दिवशी सुवासिनी महिला वटवृक्षाची(Banyan Tree) पूजा करतात. हळद-कुंकू हे सौभाग्याच प्रतिक आणि सौभाग्यवतीचे फणी करंडा, काळी पोत, हिरव्या बांगड्या हे सौभाग्य अलंकार तिथे अर्पण करतात. वडाला पाच प्रदक्षिणा मारून सूत गुंडाळतात. मनोभावे वटवृक्ष राजाचे पुजन करतात. ह्या व्रताशी संबंधीत अशा सावित्रींचे स्मरण पूजन करतात. सावित्री हिने आपला पति सत्यवान ह्याचे प्राण यमाकडून कसे परत मिळवले. ह्या बद्दल एक पौराणिक कथा सांगितली जाते ती अशी.
सावित्री ही भद्र देशाचा राजा अश्वपती ह्याची कन्या. आपल्या सत्वगुणी समंजस, गुणवान, रूपवान, धैर्यवान आणि सुशील कन्येबद्दल राजा-राणीला मोठा आभिमान होता.
खरं तर अशा ह्या सुंदर राजकन्येला कुणीही एखादा राजकुमार सहज पती म्हणून मिळाला असता पण तसं घडलं नाही तिनं निवड केली ती जंगलात राहणाऱ्या सदाचारणी, सत्यवचनी, सामर्थवान आणि आपले नांव सार्थ करणाऱ्या सत्यवानाची.
सत्यवान हा अल्पायुषी होता. लग्नानंतर तो एक वर्षातच मृत्यू पावेल हे भाकित ठाऊक असून ही सावित्रीनं त्याच्याशीच विवाह केला.
सावित्री सत्यवानाच्या झोपडीत आनंदात राहू लागली. सासू सासऱ्याची सेवा करू लागली. पतीसेवा करू लागली. पतीला त्याच्या कामांत मदत करू लागली.
होता होता एक वर्षाचा काळ होत आला.. आणि तो दिवस उगवला. पहाटे पासूनच सावित्रीला अपशकुन होऊ लागले. तिनं एक वेगळाच निश्चय केला. त्या दिवशी ती मुद्दाम पती बरोबर जंगलांत लाकडं तोडण्यासाठी गेली.
झाडावर चढून सत्यवान लाकडं तोडून खाली टकत होता आणि सावित्री ती लाकडं गोळा करत होती.. आणि एका-एकी घेरी येऊन सत्यवान झाडावरून खाली पडला. सावित्रीनं त्याला एका वृक्षाखाली नेलं व त्या वृक्षाच्या सावलीत ती त्याला सावध करण्याचा प्रयत्न करू लागली. तेवढ्यात तिथं यमराजाची स्वारी आली आणि सत्यवानाचे प्राण हरण करून घेऊन जाऊ लागली.
तशी सावित्री ही यमराजांचे मागे धावत जाऊ लागली. आपल्या पतीचे प्राण परत मागू लागली. बाळ! मृत्यूच्या मार्गावरचा प्रत्येक जीव हा एकटा असतो. त्याचा कुणी सोबती नसतो. तू परत जा.. यमराज म्हणाले.
तेव्हा पतीवाचून पत्नीने जगावे का? तिच्या जगण्याला काही अर्थ राहतो का? सहगमन हा पत्नीचा धर्म आहे असं शास्त्रच सांगते नां? अशी अनेक प्रश्नोत्तरे करून सावित्रीने अखेर यमराजाचे मन जिंकले.
तिचा निश्चय, धैर्य, धर्म शास्त्राच ज्ञान, तिच बुद्धी कौशल्य, चतुराई हे सारं पाहून यमराज प्रसन्न होऊन म्हणाले,"सावित्री, एक लक्षांत ठेव. केवळ पतीचे प्राण सोडून हवे ते माग, मी ते देईन. बोल काय हवे तुला".
मग सावित्रीने चतुराईन यमाकडे सासऱ्याचं गेलेल राज्य मागितले. यम हो म्हणाले, सासू-सासऱ्यांना दृष्टी मागितली, यमराजाने ती दिली. असं एक-एक मागता-मागता सावित्रीने पुत्र मागितला. यमराज इतर मागण्यांप्रमाणे हो म्हणाले आणि..
दिल्या शब्दाप्रमाणे पुत्रप्राप्तीसाठी यमराजांना सत्यवानाचे प्राण परत द्यावे लागले.
ही पौराणिक कथा खरंच श्रवणीय आणि बरंच काही शिकवून जाणारी आहे. त्या कथेच स्मरण वटवृक्षाचे पूजन आणि सौभाग्य वरदान मागण्याचा हा दिवस.
Vat Pournima:-
Wat Pournima is the festival for Maharashtrian women, which is celebrated in the month of Jesht (May-June). Women observe a fast and tie threads around a banyan tree and pray for the same husband in every birth.
The celebration derived from the story of Savitri and Satyavan. It has been foretold that Satyavan won't live long. Resting on the lap of Savitri, Satyavan was waiting for death under a banyan tree, when the day of death comes. The messenger of Yama, the God of death came to take Satyavan. But Savitri refused to give her beloved husband. Messenger after messenger tried to take Satyavan away, but in vain. Finally, Yama himself appeared in front of Savitri and insisted to give her husband.
Since, she was still adamant, he offered her a boon. She asked for the well being of her in-laws. He granted it to her. She then followed him as he took Satyavan's body away. He offered her another boon. She now asked for the well being of her parents. This boon, too, was granted. But she was relentless, and continued to follow him. As they approached Yama's abode, he offered her a final boon. She asked for a son. He granted it. She then asked him how it would be possible for her to beget sons without her husband. Yama was trapped and had to return her husband.
So, married women pray to the banyan tree for the long life of their husbands and children. Their fast is observed the whole night till the next morning.The celebration derived from the story of Savitri and Satyavan. It has been foretold that Satyavan won't live long. Resting on the lap of Savitri, Satyavan was waiting for death under a banyan tree, when the day of death comes. The messenger of Yama, the God of death came to take Satyavan. But Savitri refused to give her beloved husband. Messenger after messenger tried to take Satyavan away, but in vain. Finally, Yama himself appeared in front of Savitri and insisted to give her husband.
Vat Savitri Vrat, or Vat Savithri Poornima, is a fast observed by married Hindu women in North India for the wellbeing of their husbands and children. The fasting is based on the devotion and determination shown by Savitri to win back her husband Satyavan from the clutches of yama (god of death). The legend is mentioned in the Mahabharata. The prayer and pujas associated with Vat Savitri is observed at the community level or individually at home.
Vat Savitri Vrat Fasting is for three days and it begins on the trayodashi day and ends on Amavasi or Purnima. Some sections of Hindu society observe the vrat during Amavasi (new moon) and others during Purnima (full moon) in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha (June – July).
The fast is observed for three nights and is broken on the fourth day. The number of days the fast is observed depends on the person who is observing it. Nowadays, many women only observe the fasting on the important day of Purnima.
There are no rigid rules regarding any Hindu fast. Pregnant women, those women having any ailments or diseases and those who have just delivered a baby usually skip this fasting and they just concentrate on prayers. Working women also avoid the fasting.
On the Trayodashi day, after morning activities, women apply paste of amala (Indian gooseberry) and gingli (sesamum) and take bath.
After this women eat the roots of Vata Vriksha (Banyan Tree) and drink water. In fact, for three days many women only eat just this.
Women then worship the Banyan Tree (Vat Vriksha). After praying to the Banyan Tree, a red or yellow colored thread is tied around the tree. Then water, rice and flowers are offered as part of the puja. Women then go round the tree and chant prayers.
Vat Vraksha or Banyan tree symbolically represents the Trimurtis – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The root is Brahma, the stem is Vishnu and the upper portion is Shiva. The whole tree is also symbolically taken as Savitri.
At home, a painting of banyan tree is made on a plate or wood using sandalwood paste or turmeric. Pujas are done to the painting of banyan tree for three days. Special dishes are also prepared during the occasion.
The routine is followed on the Trayodashi, Chatrudashi and Amavasi or Purnima.
The fast is broken on the fourth day after offering water to moon and prayers to Savitri.
Apart from this all fasting women take the blessings of elders and other married women. Special dishes are prepared on the day and distributed among friends and relatives after the pujas.
Many people also distribute food, clothes and money to the poor during Vat Savitri.
Finally, never torture one’s body in the name of customs and traditions. Fasting is good for health and it also helps in spiritual quest. But one should not attempt it, if one is not capable of doing it. Prayers, kindness to all living beings and simplicity are also Vratas and one can observe it on all days.
