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 knowledge, music, arts, science and technology, was born on this day. Hence people are often seen celebrating Saraswati Puja on Basant Panchami. Another popular legend is that the day is celebrated to honour the legendary poet Kalidasa. As per a folklore, Lord Brahma created the universe on this day.
Usually, people celebrate by keeping a fast on the day. The term Vasant Panchami or Basant Panchami has no relation with Vasant ritu. Since the festival falls in the month of Magha, which happens to be a month of Shishir ritu. However, since the sun’s warmth is at its peak on this day, symbolises the onset of spring season. People who celebrate the auspicious day can be seen wearing yellow garments.
In many areas of the country, people celebrate by flying kites. In parts of Rajasthan, people can be seen wearing jasmine garlands on this day. People usually perform Saraswati Puja during Purvahna Kala, that is the time between the sunrise and the midday.
The list of stories relating to Basant Panchami is endless. However, an interesting aspect is that the love connection with this day. The story is about Shringara Rasam, which is all about love, attraction and beauty. As per the mythology, Kamdeva’s wife Rati did an arduous 40 days of penance to bring her husband back. Kamdeva was turned to ashes by Lord Shiva. It was on the day of Basant Panchami, Shiva brought Kamdeva back to life. This is why, the god of love and desire, Kamdeva is worshipped with his wife Rati on Basant Panchami.
The significance of Basant Panchami is huge in Hindu culture. The day is considered very auspicious to start any work. The day is also considered very auspicious to get married or perform house warming ceremony (griha pravesh) on the day of Basant Panchami.
Basant Panchami observes the birth of Saraswati. As per the popular folklore, Goddess Saraswati – the deity of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology – was born on this day and people worship her to achieve wisdom.
According to custom, temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswati are filled with sacred offerings a day before Basant Panchami, with the belief that the Goddess would join in the celebrations by attending the traditional feast the following morning. Another folklore is that Lord Rama ate the half-tasted grapes of Mata Shabari on Basant Panchami.
People worship her to get blessed with knowledge and to get rid of lethargy, sluggishness and ignorance. Schools and colleges arrange pujas in the morning to seek the blessing of the Goddess.
The colour yellow holds great significance during Basant Panchami as it is associated with the colour of mustard flowers that bloom during this season, so wearing yellow is also encouraged. In India, the festival is celebrated mostly in northern states of Punjab and Bihar, where people celebrate it as a festival of kites.
The celebration of Vasant Panchami can be traced back to Dwapara yuga. As per the authority of scriptures like Srimad Bhagwatam and other Vaishnava scriptures, the transcendental Vasant ras lila took place on this night on the Govardhan hill. The place came to be known as Chandra sarovar. It is also mentioned that Lord Chandradev stood still for one night of Brahma to take darshan of this divine dance of Sri Krishna and his beloved gopis, headed by Srimati Radharani.
For thousands of years and as per the traditions and customs prevalent, people have been celebrating this day by observing a fast, decorating the deity of Saraswati with garlands and white clothes and offering her yellow items.
The term Vasant Panchami is a misnomer since Vasant Panchami has no relation with Vasant ritu. It falls in the month of Magha, which is a month of Shishir ritu but since the sun has gone in the northern hemisphere, there is warmth which is a symbol of spring season.
This festival marks the veneration of Lord Krishna and Devi Saraswati. People ask the goddess to grant them boon for wisdom and knowledge. Primarily known as the festival of students, poets, musicians and teachers, everyone bows down before her and prays to her to grant them right guidance and help them excel in the field of education.
In North India, people generally observe a fast on this day. They wear yellow garments and cook yellow food items, loaded with turmeric and saffron. Deities of Mother Saraswati are decorated and people offer her prayers. People in Punjab celebrate by flying kites – they call it Dor and Guddi festival. In Central India, the newly wedded couples dress themselves in yellow and then visit a temple and offer first Vasant Panchami puja. In areas like Bali and Indonesia, people dress up in their finest clothes and offer good food to their teachers.
In Eastern lndia, specifically West Bengal, people observe “Hathe Khori” i.e. they ask their children to learn alphabets and write it down. In ancient times, the sanskar of Vidya aarambha was usually performed on this day. The student were admitted to gurukuls and they used to learn their first lesson from their teacher on this day.
• First of all, try to understand the changes that occur in nature with the arrival of the season of spring (Basant).
• Wear yellow clothes to symbolize the significance of the colour in the festival.
• Chant Saraswati vandana to feel peace within.
• Ask children to offer prayers to Goddess Saraswati. Distribute pen, pencils and notebooks to street children.
• Enjoy the colourful festival and bright sunshine of spring with your children by flying kites.
And last but not the least, our prayer goes: May maa Saraswati bless us all to attain enlightenment through knowledge and rid ourselves of lethargy, sluggishness and ignorance.