Bhubaneswar: Married women in Odisha flocked to temples to observe Sabitri Puja, popularly known as ‘Sabitri Brata’, on Friday. The festival holds great significance among Hindu married women as they observe fast on this auspicious day for the longevity and well being of their husbands.
Sabitri Bratai falls on Amavasya Tithi (new moon) in the month of Jyestha (May-June). It is dedicated to Sabitri, whose story has been told in the Mahabharata to illustrate the power of woman’s chastity and devotion to her husband.
Legend goes that Sabitri’s husband Satyaban was destined to die within a year of his marriage. Yama appeared on the appointed day to take away Satyaban’s soul, but Sabitri pleaded with him to spare her husband’s life. Moved by Sabitri’s determination and devotion for her husband, Yama finally conceded and Satyban was brought back to life with five boons which she manages to extract from him.
On this day, the women bathe early in the morning, wear new clothes, bangles, and apply vermilion on their foreheads and keep a fast. They then visit different temples and offered Bhoga (offering), which is consists of wet pulses, rice, dates, mangos, jackfruits, palm fruits, kendu, bananas, and several other fruits, and observe the festival with Sabitri Brata Katha. During the day, married women listen to or recite the story of Sabitri and Satyaban, celebrating the story of conjugal love conquering death.
The women also seek the blessings of their husbands and elderly people in their families.
