Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami or Shri Panchami is one among the vibrant festival in India. Basant Panchami is celebrated in the first day of the spring, which falls on the fifth day of the Hindu month Magha.
This year the auspicious occasion will fall on February 14. Today, the goddess of knowledge, music, arts and wisdom, Maa Saraswati is being worshipped. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Saraswati today leads one towards a bright future. This festival is celebrated in all the educational institutes for the students to gain a lot of knowledge and wisdom.
Basant Panchami holds religious significance for the Hindu community. On this auspicious day, people prepare traditional food items to mark the celebration. The delicacies that are common on this day include kheer, kesar pista, Kanchipuram, idli and sweet rice. Several parts of the nation also observe the day by flying kites, which indicates the arrival of spring.
On this day, people who perform Goddess Saraswati Puja at home usually wake up early, have a shower and wear sarees or other clothes in shades of yellow or white. At the same time, students often fast for a few hours till the pushpanjali. Homes and educational institutes are decorated with flowers and rangolis. After puja and offerings, the sweets and fruits are distributed among students, family members and friends.
It is believed that wearing yellow clothes on Saraswati Puja has a great significance. On this auspicious day, people wear yellow clothes, offer yellow flowers to the Goddess and put a yellow, turmeric tilak on their forehead. As per the legends, this helps in gaining immense wisdom and knowledge from Devi Saraswati.
Meanwhile here is a soulful devotional song dedicated to Devi Saraswati. Watch the video here:
Ms Kalinga