Happy Vasant Panchami: Ma Saraswatiji

In India, celebrating all the festivals are all about togetherness and harmony. In fact, the fun and frolic of the occasion is simply incomplete without good food and happiness. With the onset of the spring season, it’s time to celebrate the festival of Basant Panchami. Predominantly, celebrated in eastern parts of India as Saraswati Puja, particularly in West Bengal and Bihar. However, in North India, especially in Punjab, Basant Panchami is celebrated as a festival of kites whereas in Rajasthan wearing jasmine garland to celebrate this festival is a part of the rituals.

Also, according to Hindu Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season. As per the Hindu calendar, it falls on the fifth day of the Magh maas (month). There is an interesting history behind the reason for why we celebrate Basant Panchami. As per a popular belief, goddess Saraswati, who is said to be the deity of learning, music and art was born on this day and people worship her to achieve wisdom. Hence people are often seen celebrating Saraswati Puja on Basant Panchami.

Celebrated in educational institutions. This festival is also celebrated in educational institutes like schools and colleges. It is said that Goddess Saraswati can bestow on her devotees lots of wisdom, learning and knowledge as the goddess is considered to be an epitome of wisdom. Students and teachers wear new clothes, offer prayers to the goddess of knowledge and various programs of song and dance are organised to please the goddess.

The significance of Basant Panchami is big in Hindu culture. The day is considered extremely auspicious to start new work, get married or perform house warming ceremony (graha pravesh). Importance of yellow color. The colour yellow has a great significance in the celebration of Vasant Panchami as it marks the harvest time of mustard crop that has yellow blooms, which is Goddess Sarasvati's favourite colour. Yellow attire is therefore worn by the followers of Saraswati. Moreover, traditional feast is prepared for the festival wherein the dishes are usually yellow and saffron in color.

Food offered to Ma: The color of Basant is yellow which symbolizes peace, prosperity, light, energy and optimism. This is why people wear yellow clothes and make traditional delicacies in yellow hues. In Bengal and Bihar, Goddess Saraswati is offered boondi and laddoo. Sweet rice with saffron and dry fruits is made in almost every house on this occasion. Mango wood, shriphal (coconut), Ganga water, and bear are also offered, particularly by Bengalis. Traditionally, in Punjab, Makki ki Roti and Samson Ka Sag are savoured. In Bihar, people celebrate Saraswati Puja by offering delicacies like Kheer, Malpua and Bundi to the Goddess.

Like all festivals, it is marked by many traditional delicacies, like khichuri, mixed vegetables, kesar halwa, kesar bhat, payesh, begun bhaja, sondesh and rajbhog are served as a bhog on this special day. On Murti Visthapan day, big processions are held. The idols of Maa Saraswati are immersed in the holy water of river Ganga with serenity. This the day is celebrated by savouring Dahi Chura along with gur and banana.

Vasant Panchami, also famously comprehended as Basanth Panchami, is an Indian festival observed on the fifth day of March. We also honour Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Learning, on this day, which marks the start of the spring season. This day is dominated by the colour yellow, as it is thought that mustard flowers grow during this time of year. Every academy and Hindu household honour Goddess Saraswati on this day. In honour of Saraswati, they chant prayers. Flowers in white or yellow garlands adorn the deity. To seek the Deity's blessing, all musical instruments, artwork, and books are positioned in a veil of Her. Later, the Goddess is presented with yellow sweets, which are then divided among the crowd.

Commencing the day of this festival with Vidya Arambham and a housewarming ceremony is considered fortunate. Brahmins are also fed and rituals are held in honour of Goddess Saraswati. On this day Goddess Saraswati is worshipped in every school and Hindu family. They sing prayer in tribute to Saraswati. The idol is decorated with white or yellow flower garlands. All the instruments of music, art, and books are placed in front of the Deity to seek Her blessing. Later yellow sweets are offered to the Goddess and distributed amongst the gathering.

It is considered auspicious to start the day of Vasant Panchami with Vidya Arambham and house warming ceremony (‘Graha Pravesh’). People also offer food to Brahmins and organize rituals in the name of Goddess Saraswati. Vasant is supposed to be the most pleasent month of the year when winter says good bye and summer starts knocking doors.

As per Hindu philosophy Vasant is the month of God of Romance Kamdeo and his wife Rati. The most favourite month when the urge to have sex is maximum. Vasant is also the month of Goddess Sarsswati the Goddess of learning. Vasant Pancami we do Sarsswati Puja in all places specially in the schools and colleges. In Shantiniketan there is a week long festival during Basantpanchmi. This festival was started by Gurudev Ravindra Nath Thakur. People from all over the world come here. Jay Ma Sharade!