Vasant Panchami

Basant Panchami is a major holiday in India which is celebrated across several states to mark the birthday of Hindu Goddess of knowledge and arts Goddess Saraswati. Vasant Panchami is also known as the festival of spring. The goddess of learning is worshipped by students and families who firmly follow the customs of Puja on this day. People dress up in tradition yellow clothes and distribute sweets and gifts to each other. Bright Palash flowers are offered along with chanting mantras to worship goddess Saraswati.

This holiday in India is celebrated in several regions of India with great enthusiasm and traditions.

Significance of Vasant Panchami in India

On the auspicious occasion of Vasant Panchami, Goddess Saraswati is worshiped in temples, schools, homes all across the world. Millions of students, writers, musicians or anyone related to the field of knowledge or arts worship her to get good results. In some areas, small children begin to write alphabets for the first time on the occasion of Vasant Panchami.

Yellow colors play a major role in this festival. Yellow flowers are offered to the deity, people wear traditional clothes in yellow colors and even food is prepared in yellow color. This is because Vasant Panchami is also known as the festival of spring and spring is full of bloom everywhere.

Goddess Saraswati is symbolized as purity and ability to separate good from evil. This day is considered to be very auspicious to start a new job, business, marry or to perform housewarming ceremony.

How Do People Celebrate in India

This day has huge importance among writers, students, and musicians. Students usually pile the books on Goddess Saraswati's feet and ask for blessings. People also fly kites in some parts of India to celebrate this day. They also distribute sweets in yellow color and exchange gifts with each other. People celebrate this day differently, but the most common ritual followed by people is explained below. On this day, Goddess Saraswati is clad in a white or yellow colored saree and people make beautiful Rangoli or decoration by rice or flowers in the shape of fish is made by followers. It is a custom of covering the idol face until the priest states the rituals of Puja. There are certain flowers such as Palash, rose or marigold which people carry to temples or purchase outside from the temple before the Puja starts. Students bring their books, pens and other study materials in front of the deity and seek her blessings on a propitious day. Members of the family take a bath early in the morning and get dressed in yellow apparel commencing the worship of a deity.

After all of this, Havan or offerings to sacred fire is done by the priest during the puja. Joss sticks, wood, ghee, lamp or Diya are used to worship Goddess. Puja is done by priest two times a day, in the morning and evening. There is a very popular ritual to break the coconut in front of Goddess Saraswati. Coconut pieces are then used to prepare delicious food. “Hey khori” or learning how to write the alphabet is among the most important Saraswati Puja rituals followed in Bengal. Khoi or puffed rice, bananas and yogurt are offered to the Goddess of learning, as she leaves.

Where to Celebrate Vasant Panchami in India

Vasant Panchami is only celebrated in few states in India but with great enthusiasm and traditions.

Some of the best places to celebrate Vasant Panchami

West Bengal: Grand pandals are erected for Saraswati Puja and her idol is worshipped duly with sacred rites and offerings. Articles associated with learning like pens, notebooks, pencils, etc. are offered to the goddess for her blessings before they could be used by the students. On this day, children are formally inducted into learning. Folk music fests and cultural dance programs are organized to mark the day.

PUNJAB AND HARYANA: People on this day especially Sikh communities visit Gurdwara or temples to offer prayers to Goddess Saraswati. On this day, people fly kites and compete with friends, families, and neighbors. People decorate their houses with yellow flowers and dress in yellow traditional clothes.

BIHAR: People take a bath early in the morning, wear tradition yellow clothes, anoint their forehead with turmeric and offer prayers to sun and goddess Saraswati. Prayers are also held in schools, colleges, hermitages, etc.

RAJASTHAN AND UTTAR PRADESH: The goddess is worshipped in schools, where art competitions are organized, poetry recitation and classic Basant Panchami songs are sung to honor the goddess. Rajasthan state government also offers several travel tour especially during this festival to make people get true flavors of it.

Tips from Locals for Traveling to India for Vasant Panchami

Any visitor who is traveling during the time of Vasant Panchami should make further bookings to the above states mentioned or villages where people celebrate this festival with old customs and enthusiasm. To get the best experience of this festival, it is better to travel to small towns and cities where people celebrate this occasion from years in old temples. There are some state travel packages available by the government which is also a good way to experience the festival if you are not aware of where to visit in India.