Vat Savitri Vrat is a revered festival for married Hindu women, aimed at ensuring the long life and prosperity of their husbands. In 2026, this significant event will take place on May 16. Women participating for the first time should adhere to specific rituals, beginning with an early morning bath during Brahma Muhurat and wearing auspicious colors such as red, yellow, or orange. Important puja items include a bamboo fan, sacred thread, soaked gram, and images of Goddess Savitri and her husband Satyavan. The Banyan tree, known as Vat Vriksha, is central to the rituals, where women perform parikrama (circumambulation) around the tree, praying for their husbands' longevity and happiness. This can be done 7, 12, 51, or 108 times. Depending on personal health and family customs, the fast may be observed as Nirjala (without water) or include light foods. After the rituals, women seek blessings from their mothers-in-law and elder family members to ensure a joyful married life. Following these customs is essential for a fulfilling observance of the vrat.