Bhubaneswar: One of the most important religious festivals of Odisha is Sabitri Brata that is observed by married Odia women all across the state. They keep fast on this day and offer prayers to Lakshmi Narayan and Maa Sabitri, seeking sound health and long life for their husbands. It is also known as Sabitri Uwaans in the western part of Odisha and “Vat Savitri Puja” in some other states.
Savitri Amavasya” or “Savitri Brata” is observed on the — ‘Amavasya’ in the month of ‘Jyestha’.
A fasting day for married women, the ritual practiced for Savitri is meant for the well-being and long life of the husband. The fasting is dedicated to Savitri and Satyavana her husband who was destined to die within one year but was brought back to life by her severe penance. The God of death, — Yama is implored by — Savitri when he is about to leave his body and due to her sheer determination and devotion to her husband, she wins him back to life and soon Satyavan regains his lost kingdom.
All Hindu women observe this festival worshiping and propitiating Savitri as a Devi. On this day, in the early morning the women take purificatory bath and wear new clothes, new bangles and apply vermilion on the fore-head. On Savitri brata — 9 types of fruits and — 9 types of flower are offered to the Goddess Savitri. Wet pulses, rice, mango, jack fruit, palm fruit, kendu, banana and several other fruits are offered as Bhoga and observe the festival with Savitri barta Katha. After observing fasting for the whole day the fasting women simply take the Bhoga. In the afternoon when all formalities of worship are over they bow low to their respective husbands and elderly people.
