There was a story in the Mahabharata, one of the most important Hindu scriptures, of a woman named Savitri, and her husband Satyavan. The story was that Savitri, a princess, had chosen a simple hermit Satyavan (who was the son of royalty and whose father had been overthrown in a coup, thus leading to them living in exile) as her husband, even though she was told that he only had one year to live. She loved him, and he her, so they lived for a year in happiness, before the date of passing of Satyavan. Exactly one year after their marriage, Satyavan collapsed in the hot sun, and the God of Death, Yama, came to take him. Savitri set off with Yama, determined to get her husband back. Gradually, Savitri talked to Yama, truthfully praising him, and earning 3 boons from him. She was able to outsmart him, and Yama, in good spirits handed Satyavan back to Savitri and wished them a long and happy life. Savitri’s devotion and determination is still honored to this day, specificially on Vata Poornima (Vata being another name for the Banyan tree where she and Satyavan sat, and the tree underneath which she performed the fast for the well being of her husband). The tree is believed to be sacred on this day, and worshipped by married women by fasting and offering Puranpoli (a Indian delicacy) and distributing flowers and fruits held in a cup made out of Vata flowers to other married women. 

Read the story of Savitri and Satyavan on Katha Kids