Vasant Panchami

VASANT PANCHAMI

FESTIVALS OF INDIA – VASANT PANCHAMI

Vasant Panchami or Basant Panchami, is a Hindu spring festival. It is generally celebrated in the month of January or February. It is observed on the fifth day of the Indian traditional calendar month of Magha. This festival is celebrated in the various regions of India. Mostly Saraswati the Godess of Education, arts and music is worshipped on this day.She is celebrated with visits to her temples, by playing music, as well as the day when parents sit down with their children, initiate them into writing letters of alphabet or study together.

Another Deity which is worshipped this day is Kama, the Hindu God of Love. On this day people dress up in Yellow colored clothes and serve saffron rice, a yellow colored sweet rice dessert. In North India people generally observe fast on this day. People in Punjab celebrate it by flying kites.

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.

This festival primarily, marks the veneration of Lord Krishna and Devi Saraswati. People ask the goddess to grant them boon for wisdom and knowledge.
The Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika bonfire and Holi, which occurs forty days later.