The Festival of Savitri Brata of Orissa Married Women of Orissa performing puja in Savitri Amavsya “Savitri Amavasya” or “Savitri Brata” is an important vow that married women in Orissa practice by observing fast for their husband and wishing for their long life. Observed on the ‘Amavasya’ (last day of the dark fortnight) in the month of ‘Jyestha’, the day is considered very auspicious and the fast is observed by every married women in Orissa. Married women in Orissa fast during the day and listen to the story of Savitri and Satyabana. 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. How is the Savitri Brata observed? Women get up early, have their bath and wear new clothes. They put new bangles and apply vermillion on their forehead and start arrangements for the worship. Savitri is symbolically represented by the grinding stone, locally known as Sila Pua. The grinding stone is thoroughly cleaned and decorated with haldi (Turmeric), Sindoor (Vermillion), new saree and gold ornaments. The women then listen to the legends of Savitri and Satyaban that is recited by the priest. Then they offer various types of fruits as ‘prasad’. All day long, the women only take fruits and observe fasting and keep praying to the Goddess for the longevity for their husband. The grinding stone used in the house is wrapped in a fresh cloth after washing with scented holy water and offered only ripe mangoes, coconut, palm, banana, pineapple in prayer along with a branch of the banyan tree. The Legend of Savitri and Satyavan The Legend of Savitri and Satyavan The story of Savitri and Satyavan occurs as a narrative in the Mahabharata recounted by the sage Markandeya on being questioned by Yudhistira if there was a woman in the world who matched the devotion of Draupadi. Savitri was the beautiful daughter of king Aswapati of Madra Desa. She selected Satyavan, a prince in exile who was living in the forest with his blind father Dyumatsen, as her life’s partner even after being warned by the Lord Narada that the prince would not survive long. She left the palace and lived with her husband and the in-laws in the forest. As a devoted wife and daughter in-law she took all pains to take care of them. On the ordained day, when the prince was scheduled to die, Savitri followed her husband to the forest. There while chopping firewood from a tree, he fell down and breathed his last on the lap of Savitri. Then appeared Yamraj, the death God to take away the soul of Satyavan from his body. Deeply hurt Savitri, pleaded to Yamraj not to be separated from her husband. If at all he would take away the soul of her husband she would also follow. Yamraj was taken aback at such a request and explained that it was impossible. Instead he wanted to grant three boons. Savitri cleverly asked for three boons and Yamraj, in haste, conceded to it. Savitri could regain the kingdom of her father-in-law by his first boon; get back the eyes of her in-laws by the second boon. The third boon was that she would be the mother of hundred sons and without a husband it was impossibility. Yamraj, being out witted and moved by the devotion of Savitri returned the life of her husband. Satyaban came to life again and both of them li
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:45:54 +0000
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