Overview
- Drik Panchang data places the fast on Saturday, May 16, with the Amavasya tithi running from 5:11 AM on May 16 to 1:30 AM on May 17, which by the sunrise rule fixes the observance on May 16.
- Coverage describes married women fasting without water, dressing in bridal finery, and performing banyan tree rituals for their husbands’ long life, with large gatherings reported in Delhi, Prayagraj, Haridwar and Bihar.
- If a banyan tree is not available, tradition accepts a potted branch, a picture, a turmeric-drawn tree, or mental worship as valid ways to complete the puja.
- Regional practice varies by lunar calendar, with many North Indian communities observing on the new moon, while a Purnima version is reported for June 29 in states that follow a different reckoning.
- Some outlets note added spiritual context this year, citing Shani Jayanti, Shanishchari Amavasya and a Venus–Jupiter conjunction in Gemini as auspicious alignments.