This is Basant Panchami. Because it was a day off from school, I used to love Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja when I was a young girl. According to tradition, on the day of Saraswati Puja, one should spend time worshiping the goddess and refrain from reading, writing, or studying. Thus, it was a totally free day.
However, as the days go by and I become an adult, I understand that Basant Panchami is actually meant to greet both maa Saraswati and the arrival of spring. It is also known as Saraswati Panchami or Shri Panchami, and it signifies the start of spring. As the long, gloomy winter draws to an end and spring arrives, the earth appears beautiful and endearing. And there’s nothing more delightful than watching trees show off their gloriously green leaves and fragrant flowers.
Celebrated in various forms throughout the nation on the fifth day of Maagh, a month in the Hindu calendar, it is one of the most vibrant and amazing festivals in India. For this celebration, yellow has a particular significance since it represents the brightness of nature and the vitality of life. During the celebration, the entire area is a riot of yellow.
Across India, people celebrate Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja, honoring the goddess of learning and wisdom, Saraswati. On this day, people typically wear yellow. Since yellow is regarded as an auspicious color for the occasion, devotees will be wearing yellow clothing and offering yellow candies and flowers. Sweet rice topped with saffron, known as kesar halwa, is a common dish in homes.
Basant Panchami’s kite flying event is a thrilling and enthusiastic occasion. Participants, both experienced and novice, display their elaborate, vibrant kites, and it is heartwarming to see their faces light up when they successfully cut down their opponent’s kite. Swings are fastened to trees in some regions of the nation, women apply mehndi to their hands, wear yellow flowers in their hair, and sing folk tunes to honor the goddess Saraswati and the lovely springtime weather.
5 tips on how to celebrate the festival of Basant Panchami:
- Prior to anything else, make an effort to comprehend the ways that the arrival of spring causes changes in the natural world (Basant).
- Don yellow clothing to represent the festival’s significance with the color yellow.
- Chant Saraswati vandana to attain inner tranquility.
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Encourage kids to pray to the goddess Saraswati. Give street children pens, pencils, and notebooks.
- With your kids, celebrate the vibrant festival and springtime sunshine by taking kite flying.