Fresh beginning on the day of Basant Panchami is special. In India, it is a lucky day. Vasant Panchami, another name for the event, is on the first day of spring, which falls on the fifth day of the Magha month.
Holi, which falls forty days after Basant Panchami, also sees the start of preparations. We honour the Goddess of learning, music, and the arts during the festival, Maa Saraswati. On this day, students in classrooms and institutions celebrate the Goddess Saraswati in temples. Shri Panchami and Saraswati Panchami are additional names for Vasant Panchami.
One of the well-known Indian festivities that marks the beginning of spring is Basant or Vasant Panchmi. This holiday is also known as Saraswati Puja, an homage to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Gyan, or scholarship, creativity, and music.
This blessed holiday is full of joy, excitement, love, and devotion. People wear yellow costumes, symbolising Punjab and Haryana's mustard fields. First-time students are urged to write their first letters in front of the Goddess Saraswati Pooja on this day.
Fresh beginning on the day of Basant Panchami is special
On this day, students in classrooms and institutions celebrate the Goddess Saraswati in temples
Goddess of Gyan, or scholarship, creativity, and music
Every region of the nation observes Basant Panchami according to slightly distinct customs. On this day, delectable traditional delicacies are ready for the feast. While kite flying is popular in North India, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, it is observed as Saraswati Puja in the eastern region of the country, such as West Bengal. It goes by the name Sri Panchami in the southern states.
On this occasion, florals are gifts in Gujarat, including bouquets and garlands decorated with mango leaves. On this day, folks love Shiva and Parvati in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Festivals in India are all about coexistence and peace. Without wonderful food and joy, the celebration's pleasure and merriment would be wholly lacking.
It's a way to commemorate the Basant Panchami celebration now that spring has arrived. Saraswati Puja is primarily observed in eastern India, especially in West Bengal and Bihar. While wearing a jasmine garland to honour this holiday is part of the customs in Rajasthan, Basant Panchami is celebrated as a kite festival in North India, particularly in Punjab.
Additionally, Hindu tradition holds that Panchami signifies the start of the spring season. It occurs on the fifth day of the Magha maas, according to the Hindu calendar (month). Lord Brahma forms the world on this day as per Hindu mythology.
According to mythology, Kalidasa had intended to attempt to drown himself by plunging into a river after being abandoned by his wife. Goddess Saraswati asked Kalidasa to take a bath in the water as she emerged from the river just as he was about to perform it. After then, his life transformed as he was endowed with insight and rose to become a famous poet.
The Hindu god of love, Kama, is the subject of a different story. Kamadeva interfered with Lord Shiva's concentration. After the passing of his wife, Sati, Shiva fell into a deep state of meditation. So that Shiva could re-establish contact with the outside world and become aware of Maa Parvati's efforts on his behalf, seers contacted Kama to rouse him from his concentration.
Kama consented and used his sugarcane bow to launch arrows Shiva made of blossoms and bees. Lord Shiva reduced Kama to ashes after opening his third eye in a fury.
After Rati (his wife) completed her 40-day penance, Shiva decided to resurrect him on Basant Panchami. He allegedly afterward gave birth to the son of Lord Krishna named Pradumna.
Schools, colleges, and other academic institutions observe this occasion. People know that because Goddess Saraswati has a fame for the embodiment of wisdom, she can bestow a wealth of understanding, learning, and information to her followers. Students and professors dress new, pray to the Goddess of knowledge, and participate in various song and dance performances designed to appease the Goddess.
Given that Goddess Saraswati's main colour is yellow and that Vasant Panchami symbolises the harvest of mustard crops with yellow blossoms, the colour yellow has special importance on this occasion. Because of this, Saraswati devotees dress in yellow. Additionally, a traditional feast is prepared for the holiday, with most food being yellow or saffron.
Yellow, the colour of Basant, represents happiness, brightness, wealth, and harmony. For this reason, individuals create traditional food and wear yellow-colored clothing. Goddess Saraswati receives boondi and ladoo in Bengal and Bihar. On this celebration, sweet rice with saffron and dry fruits is prepared first-class in practically every home. Especially by Bengalis, mango wood, shriphal (coconut), Ganga water, and beer are also provided.
Maake ki Roti and Sarson Ka Saag are historically viewed in Punjab. People celebrate Saraswati Puja in Bihar by presenting the Goddess delicacies like Kheer, Malpua, and Bundi. Like all festivals, it is a joyful festival with various traditional foods. On this particular day, people provide bhog with khichuri, mixed vegetables, Kesar halwa, Kesari bhaat, payesh, begun bhaja, sondesh, and rajbhog.Large processions mark the day of Murti Visthapan. Maa Saraswati's statues are calmly submerged in the Ganges River's holy water. Dahi Chura is traditionally enjoyed on this day with gur and bananas.
In the Hindu tradition, Basant Panchami has great value. The day is bright for beginning new employment, getting married, or holding a housewarming ceremony.