Saubhagya Sundari Vrat holds significant cultural and
religious importance in various regions of India, particularly in North India,
Gujarat, and Maharashtra. This observance is marked on different days depending
on the lunar calendar followed in different regions.
In North India, it is observed on the third day during the
Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) of the Margashirsha month.
Conversely, in other regions, such as Gujarat and Maharashtra, it falls during
the Kartik month. Additionally, in North India, it's also observed during the
third day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the Chaitra month.
The central purpose of Saubhagya Sundari Vrat is to pray for
the well-being and longevity of one's husband. Married women undertake this
fast with devotion and sincerity, seeking the blessings of the divine feminine,
often addressed as Mother Goddess or Saubhagya Sundari.
During this Vrat, women typically observe strict fasting,
abstaining from food and water for the entire day, and sometimes even extending
it to include night vigil or performing specific rituals. They offer prayers,
perform rituals, and recite hymns dedicated to the Goddess, seeking her divine
grace for the prosperity and happiness of their marital life.
The name "Saubhagya Sundari" itself embodies the
essence of the fast, as "Saubhagya" signifies good fortune,
prosperity, and marital bliss, while "Sundari" refers to beauty and
grace. Through this vrat, married women express their devotion and seek the
blessings of the divine feminine for a harmonious and blissful married life.
The rituals and customs associated with Saubhagya Sundari Vrat may vary slightly across different regions and communities, but the underlying sentiment of devotion and prayer remains consistent. It serves as a beautiful expression of marital love, devotion, and the belief in the power of divine blessings to safeguard and enrich the bond between husband and wife.