Basant Panchami Festival in India

 

 

Basant Panchami is a Hindu festival which is celebrated with great pomp and show across India on the fifth day (Panchami Tithi) of the Hindu month of Magha, Shukla Paksha. There is an interesting history behind the reason for why we celebrate Basant Panchami. As per a popular belief, goddess Saraswati, who is said to be the deity of learning, music and art was born on this day and people worship her to achieve wisdom. Also according to Hindu Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season.
 
The festival also marks the birthday of Goddess Saraswati who is often depicted as a beautiful woman dressed in pure white, often seated on a white lotus, which symbolizes light, knowledge and truth. Basant Panchami is considered very auspicious day, especially to begin a child's education, to start new work, get married and perform house warming ceremony (griha pravesh).
 
Predominantly Basant Panchami, celebrated in eastern parts of India as Saraswati Puja, particularly in West Bengal and Bihar. However, in North India, especially in Punjab, Basant Panchami is celebrated as a festival of kites whereas in Rajasthan wearing jasmine garland to celebrate this festival is a part of the rituals.
 
This festival is also celebrated in educational institutes like schools and colleges. On Murti (The idols of Maa Saraswati) Visthapan day, big processions are held. Students and teachers wear new clothes, offer prayers to the goddess of knowledge and various programs of song and dance are organised to please the goddess.
 
The colour yellow has a great significance in the celebration of Vasant Panchami which symbolizes peace, prosperity, light, energy and optimism. As it marks the harvest time of mustard crop that has yellow blooms, which is Goddess Saraswati’s favourite colour. Yellow attire is therefore worn by the followers of Saraswati.
 
Moreover, traditional feast is prepared for the festival wherein the dishes are usually yellow and saffron in color. In Bengal and Bihar, Goddess Saraswati is offered boondi and ladoo. Sweet rice with saffron and dry fruits is made in almost every house on this occasion. Mango wood, shriphal (coconut), Ganga water, and baer are also offered, particularly by Bengalis. Traditionally, in Punjab, Maake ki Roti and Sarso Ka Saag are savoured. In Bihar, people celebrate Saraswati Puja by offering delicacies like Kheer, Malpua and Bundi to the Goddess. Like all festivals, it is marked by many traditional delicacies, like khichuri, mixed vegetables, kesar halwa, kesari bhaat, payesh, sondesh and rajbhog are served as a bhog on this special day.
 
The idols of Maa Saraswati are immersed in the holy water of river Ganga with serenity at the end of the festival. This day is celebrated by savouring Dahi Chura along with gur and banana. 
 
Basant Panchami 2021 Mahurat:
Panchami Tithi Begins - 03:36 AM on February 16, 2021 and ends - 05:46 AM on February 17, 2021


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