The Celebration of Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja
This is the day when the education and books are celebrated and revered. Basant Panchami is celebrated every year in the month of Magh & is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
Why is Basant Panchami Celebrated?
Basant Panchami means the ‘Fifth Day of the Spring Season’. It is believed to be the birthday of Goddess Saraswati that is the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and music. Hence, the spirit of knowledge and wisdom have special importance on the day of Vasant Panchami. This day is also considered very auspicious for Gupta Navaratri. The story of Basant Panchami is also observed in Puranas. The lore of Goddess Saraswati is described in the 10th Mandala of Rig Veda. In Indian culture, this day is considered very auspicious.
Shri Panchami
The goddess of wealth, Lakshmi (also called Shri) and Lord Vishnu are also worshiped on this day. Some people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati together. Generally, people from the business class worship Goddess Lakshmi. Recitation of Sri Sukta and worshipping Goddess Lakshmi is considered very auspicious and beneficial.
The Significance and Celebration of Basant Panchami
This day is considered very auspicious in Hinduism. ‘Basant Panchami’ is the fifth day of the ‘Spring Season’ and hence the aura of the Basant or Spring is totally different with flowers starting to blossom and a different vibrancy in the atmosphere.
Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on this day, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm by students in schools & colleges. This day is also considered very well for any kind of auspicious work or an event. A start a new business on this day is also considered very beneficial. It is believed by Vedic Astrologers, that the day of ‘Basant Panchami’ is very auspicious for the start of something new. Hence, that is especially important in Hinduism. The season of spring is denoted with yellow color. People often wear yellow colored clothes on the day of Basant Panchami, especially in North India. The mustard crops get ready for harvest in this season and thus, the yellow color is also associated with the day of Basant Panchami. The vibes on this day are full of enthusiasm and the weather is neither extremely cold nor extremely warm. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on this day, and hence, this day is also observed in various educational fields such as science, art, literature, etc. The schools also observe this festival and encourage children to focus on studies.
The Story of Basant Panchami
The story of basant panchami is very deeply associated with the Indian Mythology & folklore.
It is believed that Lord Vishnu ordered Lord Brahma to create the universe. Lord Brahma created the Universe and then went on to create humans very meticulously. But, even this creation could not satisfy Lord Brahma. He felt that there is something amiss in this world for everything was so silent.
Lord Brahma decided to share his observation with Lord Vishnu. Hearing this, Lord Vishnu gave Lord Brahma permission to make changes to the Universe. Lord Brahma sprinkled water on Earth which gave birth to Goddess Saraswati. She was born with Sitar in one hand, books in the other, and since became the epitome of knowledge and wisdom in the Hindu mythology. With her birth, every matter on earth received the power of sound for the winds started to whistle, the water started to splash and the leaves started to rustle, creating a beautiful harmony. This enlivens the Earth & ever since, the Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on the day of Basant Panchami.
The Auspicious Time for Basant Panchami/Saraswati Pooja
Dishes Cooked on Basant Panchami
Sweet dishes are definitely made in every household on the day of Basant Panchami. The offerings of sweets made with milk are offered to Goddess Saraswati. Many people also offer yellow colored sweets made with milk to Goddess Saraswati. Yellow-colored food made with pulses and lentils is also preferred on this day.
