On the Aaunsi Tithi of Jestha, also known as Amavasya, the festival of Barsait is celebrated. This cultural tradition is observed in the Maithili and Bhojpuri speaking regions of Nepal, as well as parts of India. Like other regional festivals such as Teej and Madhushravani, Barsait highlights the bonds of love, respect, and devotion, particularly between couples. It is primarily celebrated by women, who pray for the longevity and strength of their marital relationships.
In Mithila, most cultural celebrations emphasize handmade offerings and a deep connection to nature, and Barsait is no exception. This festival reflects the region’s tradition of honoring the earth, simplicity, and the sacred bond between humans and the natural world. In Barsait, married women, dressed in their finest clothes and adorned with jewelry, gather beneath the banyan tree to offer prayers to the Naag (serpent deity). They present offerings such as milk and laba (puffed rice) and tie a sacred red or yellow thread around the trunk of the banyan (baar). As part of the ritual, women also use bena (a traditional handwoven bamboo fan) to gently wave air during the prayer ceremony.
According to local legends, there once lived a Brahmin (in some versions of the story, he is described as the king of a small village) who was happily married and had seven sons. His wife had a daily habit of discarding hot water from cooked rice into a hole located behind the chulha (traditional clay stove). Unknown to her, the hole was home to a pair of Naag. The hot water accidentally killed all the serpent couple’s offspring. Grief-stricken and enraged, the snake couple cursed the Brahmin and his wife, declaring that they too would lose all their sons as they grew older. After delivering the curse, the serpents left the hole and took residence in a baar outside.
As time passed, the Brahmin’s seven sons grew into adulthood. When the eldest son got married, he and his bride stopped to rest on the outskirts of the village on their way back home. Tragically, both were bitten by snakes and died. The same fate befell the next five sons and their wives, each couple dying in the same mysterious way after their wedding.
Fearing for their youngest son, the Brahmin and his wife took every precaution to protect him. Yet, driven by youthful curiosity and innocence, he eventually ventured out on his own. During his journey, he met a kind and beautiful girl from a potter’s family. He fell deeply in love with her and insisted on marrying her (in some versions of the story, this young man is known as Satyavaan and the girl as Savitri. Hence also called VatSavitri).
Because Savitri came from a humble background, her parents were unsure of what they could give her as gift for the wedding. Savitri requested only a few simple items: handmade gudda-guddiya (clothes dolls symbolizing a couple), a kalash (sacred pot), some milk, Baara (fritters made from lentils), and laba (puffed rice or grains).
On their return journey after the wedding, Savitri noticed the same baar tree where the snake couple now resided. Aware of the past tragedy, she paused to pray and make offerings to the snakes. She brought out the items, placing the laba near the tree and began her rituals. As the snakes emerged to eat the offerings, one of them slithered into the kalash to drink the milk. At that moment, Savitri quickly sealed the pot.
The female snake pleaded with her to release her companion. Savitri, firm in her devotion and love, asked for a boon in return: “Baar liya, maar diya” (I gave offerings, now bless me with all the lives you have taken). Moved by her courage, faith, and unwavering love for her husband, the snake couple granted her wish. They blessed the newlyweds with a long and happy married life and miraculously revived the six other sons and daughters-in-law who had died before.
While this is a legend that has evolved through generations and various adaptations, like many traditional stories, it carries meaningful life lessons.
First and foremost, it teaches us to respect all living beings. Every creature has a vital role in the ecological balance. For instance, snakes, often misunderstood, help control pests that can harm crops, play an important role in sustaining our environment. Honoring and protecting all forms of life is a step toward a healthier, more harmonious world.
Secondly, the story beautifully underscores the depth of love between couples and the unwavering care parents have for their children. It reminds us that as social beings, we thrive on relationships, emotional bonds, and mutual support. These connections are essential, not only for our well-being but also for maintaining strong communities and mental health.
In the ancient times when this story originated, women were traditionally seen as nurturers and protectors of the home, while men were the breadwinners who worked outside. Over time, these roles have gradually evolved. Today, more men are beginning to participate in rituals and fasts like those observed during Barsait, recognizing their significance in strengthening the marital bond. While there is still progress to be made toward full equality in cultural practices, festivals like Barsait serve as a beautiful celebration of love, mutual respect, and partnership between couples.
This is a sincere effort to document and honor one of the rich cultural celebrations of Mithila and southern Nepal. Wishing everyone who observes it a joyful and prosperous Barsait, filled with love, blessings, and togetherness.
(There is another soulful legend, the timeless story of Savitri and Satyavan, that beautifully captures the profound emotion, unwavering devotion, and spiritual power of a woman who defied death itself-for next time!).
