Of the few brats that are observed religiously in Odisha, ‘Savitri Brat’ is the most unique one. This brat’s uniqueness lies in the fact that only married Hindu women observe this brat for longevity and the well-being of their husbands.
This brat is observed on the Amavasya or new moon day in the month of Jyeshtha.
As per the mentions in Puranas, the brat is traditionally observed for three days starting Krishna Paksha Trayodashi tithi. However, it is observed only on the no moon day.
On this day, Hindu married women wear new sarees, put on new bangles and vermillion on their foreheads go to the nearest temple with ‘sindoor’, ‘alta’, bangles, sacred thread (brat), fruits and flowers and worship for the long life of their husbands.
They hold a day-long fast and listen to the tale of Savitri who saved her husband Satyavan from the God of Death, Yam Raaj.
In fact, the brat gets its name from Savitri, the only daughter of King Asvapati and wife of Satyavan.
As per the legend, King Asvapati asked Savitri to choose her life partner and the latter chose Satyavan, the son of Dymatsena, a blind and exiled king.
Meanwhile, Debarshi Narad warned King Asvapati that his son-in-law will be short-lived. Even after hearing the warning, Savitri insisted on marrying Satyavan.
After marriage, Savitri took great care of her husband and in-laws. On the day when Satyavan was destined to die, Savitri went with him to the forest. There in the jungle, Satyavan fell off a Banayan tree.
Soon, Yam Raaj appeared in the scene and took Satyavan’s soul with him. As he started moving, Savitri followed him. Yam Raaj asked her to go back but Savitri continued to follow him.
The love of Savitri for her husband was so much that it pleased Yam Raaj who, in turn, offered any wish she had but for her husband’s life.
Savitri asked for eyesight of her father-in-law and his kingdom and hundred children to herself and Satyavan. The last wish put Yam Raaj in a quandary. But, moved by the ardent love for and devotion of Savitri to her husband, the God of Death granted all the wishes Savitri, including the life of Satyaban.