Hindu

Vat Savitri Vrat 2027 वट सावित्री व्रत

Fast of Savitri at the Banyan Tree

Friday, 4 June 2027

Vat Savitri Vrat is a fast kept by married Hindu women who worship the banyan tree and pray for the long life and wellbeing of their husbands, remembering Savitri and Satyavan.

How the date is fixed: Kept on Jyeshtha Amavasya in North India (purnimanta calendar). In Maharashtra, Gujarat and South India it is kept as Vat Purnima on Jyeshtha Purnima, about 15 days later (29 June 2026; 18 June 2027).

Why Vat Savitri Vrat is celebrated

Vat Savitri Vrat honours Savitri, a woman remembered for her love, courage and quick thinking. Married women keep the fast for the long life, health and success of their husbands and for a happy family.

The banyan tree, called vat or bargad, is at the centre of the puja. It lives for hundreds of years and keeps sending down new roots, so people see it as a symbol of long life and strength. According to tradition, Brahma lives in its roots, Vishnu in its trunk and Shiva in its branches. Worshipping the tree is also a way of respecting nature.

History and story of Vat Savitri Vrat

The story comes from the Mahabharata, where a sage tells it to the Pandavas. Savitri was the daughter of King Ashwapati. She chose to marry Satyavan, a prince living in the forest with his blind father, even after being told he would die within a year.

On the day of his death, Satyavan collapsed under a banyan tree. Yamraj, the god of death, came to take his life. Savitri followed Yamraj and spoke to him with such wisdom and devotion that he offered her boons, though not her husband's life. With clever words she asked for sons from Satyavan. Bound by his promise, Yamraj had to return Satyavan's life. Her father in law also got back his sight and his lost kingdom.

How Vat Savitri Vrat is celebrated

Women wake early, bathe, and dress in festive clothes, often red or other bright colours, with bangles and sindoor. Many keep a full or partial fast through the day.

They go to a banyan tree with a puja plate holding water, roli, rice, flowers, fruits, soaked gram and sweets. They offer water at the roots and then walk around the tree several times, often seven or more, winding a raw cotton thread or kalava around the trunk. Women then sit together to listen to or read the Savitri Satyavan katha.

After the puja, women touch the feet of elders and seek blessings. The fast is usually broken later in the day or the next morning.

Important days and moments

Banyan tree puja (Morning of the vrat)
Women offer water, flowers and sweets at the roots of a banyan tree and pray for their husband's long life.
Thread around the tree (During the puja)
Women walk around the banyan tree and wind a raw cotton thread around its trunk while praying.
Savitri Satyavan katha (After the puja)
The story of Savitri winning back her husband's life from Yamraj is read or told in groups.
Vat Purnima (Jyeshtha Purnima)
Women in Maharashtra, Gujarat and South India keep the same vrat on the full moon day, about fifteen days later.

Vat Savitri Vrat across India

In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh, women keep the fast on Jyeshtha Amavasya. In Odisha it is called Savitri Brata and falls on the same day, with women offering special fruits and sweets.

In Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka, the festival is Vat Purnima and comes on Jyeshtha Purnima. Women in Maharashtra gather in groups around banyan trees in towns and cities. In 2026 an adhik, or extra, Jyeshtha month falls between the two dates, so the gap between them is longer than the usual fifteen days.

Other names and related festivals

Savitri Puja
Vat Purnima
Vat Savitri Amavasya
Vat Purnima in Maharashtra
Savitri Brata in Odisha

Karva Chauth 18 Oct 2027

Frequently asked questions

When is Vat Savitri Vrat in 2027?

Vat Savitri Vrat falls on Friday, 4 June 2027.

Is Vat Savitri Vrat a bank holiday?

The RBI bank holiday lists for 2027 are not out yet; they usually come out in December or January. Each state follows its own list, so check your state's bank holiday page then.

Is Vat Savitri Vrat a central government holiday?

No. Vat Savitri Vrat is not a holiday for central government offices in 2027.

What are the other names of Vat Savitri Vrat?

Vat Savitri Vrat is also known as Savitri Puja, Vat Purnima, Vat Savitri Amavasya, Savitri Brata.

Why are there two dates for Vat Savitri?

North India follows the purnimanta calendar and keeps the vrat on Jyeshtha Amavasya. Western and southern states keep it on Jyeshtha Purnima as Vat Purnima, which usually comes fifteen days later.

Why is the banyan tree worshipped?

According to the story, Satyavan's life was returned under a banyan tree. The tree also lives very long, so it stands for long life and strength.

Is Vat Savitri a holiday?

Odisha gives a state public holiday for Savitri Amavasya. It is not a central government holiday, so offices and banks stay open in most other states.