वट (vat)

noun A noun naming the banyan tree, most familiar to learners through the compound वट वृक्ष (vat vriksh) and the festival name वट सावित्री (vat saavitrii).
Sense 1 : banyan tree
noun, masculine
Synonyms: बरगद (bargad), वट वृक्ष (vat vriksh)
Frequency: low
Cultural Note: This is the same tree villagers call बरगद (bargad) in daily conversation, but वट (vat) is the Sanskrit-rooted form that survives in religious and ritual contexts. The festival वट सावित्री (vat saavitrii) has married women worshipping this tree and tying threads around its trunk, praying for their husbands' long life, so the word carries a strong devotional flavor even though the tree itself is a common sight.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners default to बरगद (bargad) for the banyan tree in everyday speech; वट (vat) alone sounds bookish or ritual-specific and is mostly heard in compounds like वट वृक्ष (vat vriksh) or festival names rather than as a stand-alone word for 'that big tree over there.'
Sample Sentences:
वट वृक्ष को हिंदू धर्म में पवित्र माना जाता है। The banyan tree is considered sacred in Hinduism.
(vat vriksh ko hindoo dharm men pavitr maanaa jaataa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
स्त्रियाँ वट सावित्री के दिन वट वृक्ष की पूजा करती हैं। Women worship the banyan tree on the day of Vat Savitri.
(striyaan vat saavitrii ke din vat vriksh kii poojaa kartii hain।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
सुहागिनों ने वट की जड़ के चारों ओर धागा बाँधा। The married women tied thread around the roots of the banyan tree.
(suhaaginon ne vat kii jad ke chaaron or dhaagaa baandhaa।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
वट की छाया में ऋषि-मुनि तपस्या किया करते थे। Sages used to perform penance in the shade of the banyan tree.
(vat kii chhaayaa men rishi-muni tapasyaa kiyaa karte the।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
मंदिर के प्रांगण में एक प्राचीन वट खड़ा है। An ancient banyan tree stands in the temple courtyard.
(mandir ke praangan men ek praachiin vat khadaa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
यदि वह वट के नीचे बैठकर मंत्र जपे, तो उसे शांति मिलेगी। If she sits under the banyan tree and chants mantras, she will find peace.
(yadi vah vat ke niiche baithkar mantr jape, to use shaanti milegii।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
वट देवता की कृपा से यह गाँव सदा हरा-भरा रहा है। By the grace of the banyan deity, this village has always remained lush and green.
(vat devtaa kii kripaa se yah gaanv sadaa haraa-bharaa rahaa hai।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
पुराणों में वट को अमरता का प्रतीक बताया गया है। In the Puranas, the banyan is described as a symbol of immortality.
(puraanon men vat ko amartaa kaa pratiik bataayaa gayaa hai।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): वट (vat)
(sg.m.oblique): वट (vat)
(pl.m.direct): वट (vat)
(pl.m.oblique): वटों (vaton)