Vasant Panchami

India is a country of togetherness and festivals. Today, there is another festival named Vasant Panchami. Vasant Panchami is a festival of Hindus and Sikhs that symbolizes the arrival of spring and the end of the winter season. It is also known as Saraswati Puja in the honor of Maa Saraswati. In 2022, Vasant Panchami is celebrated on February 5 all over India. It also marks the beginning of the preparation of Holi which takes place after forty days of it.

According to one of the famous beliefs, the beginning of Basant Panchami lies in the Aryan period. Aryans came and settled in India, crossing the Saraswati River. There was a lot of development at that time around the banks of the Saraswati River. Hence, the Saraswati River began to be associated with wisdom and knowledge, and locals started to celebrate this festival.

According to another mythology, Kalidasa married to beautiful princess through dishonesty. The princess once kicked him out of her bed after she learned that he was dishonest. After this incident, Kalidasa was saddened and decided to commit suicide. Goddess Saraswati came out of the river and asked him to take a dip in the Saraswati River. After taking a dip in that river, Kalidasa became knowledgeable and become a poet. Since then Basant Panchami is celebrated to worship Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of education and learning.

Goddess Saraswati who is known as Goddess of Wisdom, language, art, music is worshipped on this day in temples, houses even in schools and colleges by the students. On this day, the yellow color has a lot of importance. The yellow color symbolizes knowledge, prosperity, wisdom, and mustard fields. People celebrate the festival by wearing a yellow outfit and eating traditional dishes which are yellow and saffron.

It is celebrated across the country with different traditions. In North India, people fly kites, people exchange bouquets and garlands as gifts. In the states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh people worship Shiva and Parvati on this day. It is also celebrated in educational institutions, where students and teachers wear new clothes and worship goddess Saraswati. Various programs of song and dance are performed to please Goddess Saraswati.

As the beautiful day of Basant Panchami comes, I hope that it brings knowledge, wisdom, and wealth for you. May Goddess Saraswati bless your life with success, happiness, and love. I hope that all your wishes come true.

Happy Basant Panchami to you and your entire family!

         Author – Palak Bedi