Women pray for long life of husbands on 'Sabitri Brata'

Bhubaneswar: Since wee hours today, married women of Hindu community were seen making a beeline to temples to complete rituals of  ‘Sabitri Brata’. The occasion observed by women seeking well being and long life of their husbands is done by fasting all day  and offering prayers.

Carrying puja thalis with the ritualistic sindoor, alta, bangles, sacred thread (Brata) fruits and flowers, women were seen offering  prayers to the gods and goddesses, as a part of their brata. Special worships were held at different temples remembering the sacrifice of Sabitri, who had saved her husband Satyaban from the hands of Yamraj - the God of death, by observing fast and offering prayers. After offering prayers at temples or home, women consume fruits or uncooked food like sprouts, soaked moong and sabudana.

"We will be observing fast and taking only fruits for the rest of the day. Just in case the temperature gets unbearable, I have kept some glucose handy," said Ritanjali Sahoo, a housewife.

Many young women took to social media including Facebook , Twitter and Instagram to post  selfies and pictures of their celebrations.

Posts titled "My Sabitri Look" and "My Satyavan" were shared by some donning their new wears and posing with their husbands.

A few others made use of the opportunity  to send across  messages of women empowerment. "For me Sabitri is the strong, determined argumentative woman who speaks of grit  and courage and is not a damsel in distress," said Sarojini  Pani , a business executive.