Vat Savitri vrat 2025: Correct date, Timings, Rituals, Significance, and all you need to know

Vat Savitri vrat, or Vat Savitri fast, is a fasting day observed by Hindu women, especially married ones, for the health and long life of their husbands. The word ‘Vat’ is the Hindi name for a Banyan tree, and Savitri is a famous woman from Hindu beliefs who even convinced Yamraj, the God of Death, to bring her husband back to life.

Vat Savitri vrat is being observed by women on Monday, May 26. According to Drik Panchang, “Vat Savitri Amavasya Monday - May 26, 2025
Vat Savitri Purnima vrat - June 10, 2025Amawasya tithi starts - May 26. 2025, 12:11 PM onwards Amavasya tithi end time - May 27, 2025, 8:31 AM.”

Vat Savitri is observed by Hindu women around the world primarily for the long life and prosperity of their husbands.
The legend of Vat Savitri talks about Savitri, the wise daughter of a King, who was married to Satyavan. It is said that a sage had warned Savitri that Satyavan was destined to die within a year of their marriage, but Savitri remained firm in her decision and married him. As the sad day arrived, Savitri followed Satyavan to the forest where he was chopping wood. As predicted, Satyavan fainted and collapsed under a tree, and Savitri was heartbroken. But when Yamraj, the God of Death, appeared to take Satyavan’s soul, Savitri, with her wisdom and courage, followed Yama and engaged him in deep conversation.
After a while, Yamraj was ready to give her certain boons, but not the life of her husband. And so Savitri cleverly asked for children, with Satyavan, as one of the boons, which Yamraj had to agree to, eventually returning Satyavan’s soul.

Women observe the Vat Savitri fast as a symbol of their love, respect, and prayers for the long life and well-being of their husbands. It’s not just about not eating any food, but about dedicating the day to pray for their husbands, and staying in a devotional phase throughout the day.
The vrat is also a way to honour Savitri’s wit, wisdom, quick thinking, and faithfulness to Satyavan, and a plea to her to give the fasting women boons just like she received.

The rituals of Vat Savitri vrat are pretty much the same across India, and women follow common steps throughout the day, with fasting being the most important one. Married women wake up early in the Brahma Muhurat, take a bath, wear clean or new clothes, and get dressed in traditional attire, which is mostly a red or yellow saree, with bangles, sindoor, and mangalsutra. Then they start a Nirjala fast, where they don’t consume any food or water till the evening puja.
In the evening, women gather together in the place where a Vat vriksh, or Banyan tree, is kept, and they go around it with a sacred thread in hand, usually called ‘Adiya’, and they wrap it around the tree by going around it 7 times.