Basant Panchami, also called Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja, is an auspicious Hindu festival celebrated all across India and even Nepal. It is celebrated on the first day of spring, which is the fifth day of the month of Magha. This year, the festival falls on February 14.
Sarawati Puja is a huge and important part of Basant Panchami. The goddess of knowledge, music, arts and wisdom is worshipped on this day. People wake up early in the morning to offer prayers to the goddess and dress up in white or yellow clothes. Some people also observe fasts. Homes are decorated with vibrant marigold flowers and rangoli. Sweets and fruits offered to the goddess during puja are distributed among family and friends.
Basant Panchami: Date
The name Basant Panchami is derived from two Sanskrit words: “Basant” means spring and “Panchami” refers to the fifth day of the lunar fortnight. The festival marks the arrival of spring and new beginnings and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The date shifts annually due to the differences between the lunar and solar calendars. The exact date can be determined by consulting astrologers and Hindu calendars. This year, Basant Panchami falls on February 14.
Basant Panchami: Time
According to Drik Panchang, Panchami Tithi will start at 2.41 pm on February 13 and will end on 12.09 pm on February 14.
Basant Panchami: History
The celebration of Basant Panchami is steeped in legends. One tale revolves around renowned poet Kalidasa, who tried to commit suicide in a river after his wife’s departure. However, at the very moment, Goddess Saraswati appeared and urged him to take a bathe in the water. Post his bath, Kalidasa was endowed with profound wisdom and insight that transformed him into a great poet.
Another legend features Kama, the Hindu god of love. Kama once interrupted Lord Shiva, deep in meditation after the death of his wife Sati. The seers intervened, urging Kama to rouse Shiva from his meditation, so that he could connect with the outside world and acknowledge Maa Parvati’s efforts for him. So, Kama shot flowers and beeswax arrows at Shiva using his sugarcane bow.
However, his actions infuriated Lord Shiva who opened his third eye and reduced Kama to ashes. On the day of Basant Panchami, Shiva promised to resurrect his wife, Rati, after 40 days of penance.
Basant Panchami: Significance
The colour yellow plays a very important role on this auspicious day. People worship Goddess Saraswati and pray to her for wisdom, positivity and abundance. Devotees wear bright clothes in the shades of yellow that also represent the blooming mustard fields at this time of the year.
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