There was confusion in the eyes of the seven year old Surangi as they dipped mango leaves into the sandal-turmeric paste to anoint her. She did not know what marriage meant, she was just told that she would move into a new home in a village far away...
"Surangi, this is your first Vat Savitri Vrat after being married. I think this saree will be perfect for the occasion." Vidya suggested, selecting a bright yellow silk saree for her from among the many sarees in her trunk. "But Tai, I want to wear this one, it is very simple but it was the first saree kept aside by my mother for me before she passed away, and I would very much like to wear it today to honour her memory. I hope the elders will not object to it." Surangi had hope in her eyes, she knew Vidya would be the right person to confide into, only she could persuade the grandmother and Yashoda to grant her wish, as the saree did look a bit plain.
Vat Pournima was an important festival for all married women who would fast all day, sustaining themselves only on some fruit, along with maintaining the tradition of praying for the husband's longevity and prosperity. It fell on the full moon day in June and was meant to commemorate Savitri, the legendary devout wife who is supposed to have persuaded Yama, the Hindu God of death to bring her departed husband Satyavan to life. Women were supposed to be proud of their marital status and took the effort to be clad in in fine clothes and wore jewellery before they could visit a local sacred banyan tree.
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According to legend Yama restored Satyavan's life under a banyan tree so it was custom for women to gather near a large tree, water it and worship it by making offerings and also entwine a long string around the bark by going around its trunk. Although Surangi was familiar with the ritual as it was common for daughters to accompany their mothers on the occasion, she found the practice strange. How was wrapping a tree with so much twine supposed to extend the life of the husband? She had wondered what the symbolism behind these traditional practices was and had decided to quiz her mother-in-law about it.
Yashoda had laughed and explained that since the Indian society was patriarchal the wives depended on the men financially. Praying for their long life was a boon a woman asked for to ensure her own well being indirectly. Worshipping certain trees was a way to protect them from being cut down, to preserve the environment. The banyan must have fascinated people with its ability to survive for centuries, and because of its aerial roots which help make the main tree stronger. The Bodhi tree under which Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment was also a banyan tree.
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