Kanpur: City residents on Friday celebrated Satuvai Amavasya with traditional customs and rituals. A large number of devotees visited the banks of the Ganga to take a holy dip and perform religious rites associated with the occasion. Devotees offered prayers to Lord Vishnu and donated sattu, clothes and other essentials to the needy as part of the rituals. The festival holds special significance in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where it is widely observed with devotion. Explaining the importance of the festival, Vishwa Bandhu Bajpai said that Satuvai Amavasya also has a scientific perspective linked to seasonal and biological changes. On Amavasya, when the sun and moon are aligned on the same side of the Earth, their combined gravitational pull is believed to influence fluids on the planet, including subtle effects on the human body. He further noted that the tradition of consuming sattu on this day is rooted in nutritional science. Made from roasted barley and gram, sattu is considered a cooling food with a low glycaemic index and high protein and fibre content. Its intake during the transition to hotter months helps regulate body temperature and prevent dehydration. Traditionally, Amavasya is observed with light eating or fasting, and sattu is regarded as an ideal food due to its easy digestibility and sustained energy release. Popular across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, sattu continues to be an essential part of the diet during the summer season.
