Vat Purnima 2017: Pooja celebrations commence in Mumbai

'Vat Savitri' is a festival celebrated by married women who pray for the long life of their husbands and also so that they can marry the same husband for 7 more lifetimes.  

This year it falls on Thursday, which is also a new moon day. By a remarkable coincidence  'Shani Jayanti' and 'Snaan Daan Amavasya' also fall on the same day.

As a part of celebrations of Vat Savitri, women tie a sacred thread around a Banyan tree and listen to stories about this day. The Banyan tree holds a lot of significance on this day because as mythology says, Savitri got her husband back from the Yama (Yamraj) under this tree.

Women also fast for the whole day.  Preparations for this day have already begun in the city, where women are shopping for new clothes and accessories to wear on this day. And along with that, all the things needed for the 'pooja' are also bought.