Vat Pournima is very sacred day for married women in India in general and for married women in Maharashtra in particular. In India, women observe Vat Savitri Vrat for 15 days from no moon day to full moon day in the month of Jyeshtha. Vat Pournima Vrat is similar to Vat Savitri Vrat. Married women observe Vat Pournima Vrat for well-being and long life of their husband. According to ‘Drik Panchanga’, “Most of the festivals in Amanta and Pournimanta lunar calendar fall on the same day. Pournimanta calendar is followed in North Indian states, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana. In rest of the states usually Amanta lunar calendar is followed. However, Vat Savitri Vrat could be considered as an exception.

 

In Pournimanta calendar Vat Savitri Vrat is observed during Jyeshtha Amavasya which coincides with Shani Jayanti. In Amanta calendar Vat Savitri Vrat, which is also called as Vat Pournima Vrat, is observed during Jyeshtha Purnima. Hence married women in Maharashtra, Gujarat and southern Indian states observe Vat Savitri Vrat 15 days later than that of North Indian women. However, the legend behind observing the fast is same in both calendars.” Vedic scholar practising Gurukrupayoga named Anjali Gadgil highlighted the spiritual significance of Banyan tree as, “The main trunk of the banyan tree contains the Shiva principle. Hence worshipping the banyan tree with spiritual emotion (bhav) helps us to gain 30% of the benefit of the worship, compared to only 2-3 % gained by worshipping it's branch. Since the branch is separated from the main trunk and hence from it’s life, it has very negligible capacity to attract and transmit Divine consciousness.

 

Bringing such a branch home and worshipping it, does not give much benefit. In the vicinity of nature, life exists in abundance and hence the fruits of Divine consciousness, can be derived in higher proportion.” According to Vedic texts, “Banyan tree not only symbolises the pride to the nation’s identity but is also considered a sacred tree of Indian soil. Like Peepal tree, it can be seen grown in every temple. The banyan tree holds an important place in Hinduism and is considered as a ‘kalpavriksha’ for fulfilling the wishes to stay healthy. It is believed that by worshipping the tree, infertile women will be able to bear children in their wombs and can attain the pleasure of being a mother. It has positive vibes that helps to maintain happiness and peace at home.”