Solah Shringar for Vat Savitriवट सावित्री पर सोलह श्रृंगार

On the morning of Vat Savitri, after an early bath, married women dress in their finest and put on solah shringar, the sixteen adornments of a suhagin (a married woman). For many it is the most festive part of the day: bright saris, fresh mehendi, glass bangles and sindoor, as women gather at the banyan tree in groups.

This page explains what the sixteen adornments are, what each is traditionally said to stand for, and why they belong to this vrat in particular. The list is not fixed. Different regions, castes and families count the sixteen differently, and no household follows a single "correct" list.

What is solah shringar?

"Solah" means sixteen and "shringar" means adornment. The idea of sixteen adornments appears in old Indian poetry and is linked in popular belief with the sixteen phases (kalas) of the moon, a symbol of completeness. In everyday practice solah shringar has come to mean the full dress of a married woman, the same set of ornaments and marks a bride wears at her wedding.

For Vat Savitri, Karva Chauth, Teej and similar vrats, solah shringar is seen as a sign of saubhagya (blessed married life) and as a way of honouring the goddess. Many women also offer a set of suhag items to Savitri during the puja.

The sixteen adornments and their meaning

The table below follows one commonly given list, with notes on the meaning tradition attaches to each.

Other lists include alta (red dye on the feet), itra (perfume), keshpasha (hair ornaments or the arranged hair itself), or count the bath and fresh clothing as adornments. Some regions add items such as the green glass bangles worn in Maharashtra or the long line of orange sindoor many women wear in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Why solah shringar matters on Vat Savitri

Vat Savitri is kept by married women for the long life and well-being of their husbands and family, in memory of Savitri, who according to the story of Savitri and Satyavan won back her husband's life from Yama. Dressing as a suhagin is a way of celebrating marriage itself on this day. Tradition gives several reasons:

• Honouring Savitri: Savitri is seen as an ideal of a devoted, wise and courageous wife. Women dress as brides to honour her.
• Suhag items as offerings: during the puja, many women offer sindoor, bangles, bindi, mehendi and a red chunri to Savitri, then share some with other married women.
• The baya: in many North Indian homes, a basket of fruit, sweets, clothes and suhag items is given to the mother-in-law after the puja. For a new bride this often comes from her mother's home (see first Vat Savitri).
• A shared celebration: women from the neighbourhood gather at the same tree, apply sindoor to one another and exchange good wishes.

Regional customs

• Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: red, yellow or orange saris, plenty of bangles and sindoor; women often apply sindoor to each other at the tree.
• Maharashtra: on Vat Purnima many women wear a nauvari or Paithani sari, green bangles, a nath and a gajra of jasmine.
• Gujarat: bright bandhani or gharchola saris are popular for Vad Savitri.
• Odisha: the day is known as Savitri Amavasya, and women dress in new saris for the puja.

Practical tips for a summer vrat

Vat Savitri falls in May or June, often in fierce heat, and many women keep a nirjala (waterless) fast. A few practical points help:

• Choose light cotton or silk-cotton saris over heavy fabrics, and avoid tight, heavy jewellery for a long puja.
• Apply mehendi the evening before so it is dry by morning.
• Go to the tree early and avoid standing in the midday sun.
• Drink water before the fast begins and after it ends. Pregnant or nursing women, the unwell, the elderly and anyone on medication should consult a doctor and may keep a phalahar or lighter fast. This is not a substitute for medical advice.

The full order of the day is on the Vat Savitri puja vidhi page.

Frequently asked questions