Everything About Vasant/Basant Panchami

What is Vasant/Basant Panchmi?

There is significance to every festival and fast in Hinduism. During each fast, prayers are offered to God for the welfare of the household, and prayers are offered to the deity. One festival that involves fasting is Basant Panchami. The worshipping of Goddess Sarawati with full devotion on this day is believed to fulfill all of your wishes. For those involved in the field of education, this day is especially significant.

When and Why Basant/Vasant Panchmi is Celebrated?

Basant Panchami is celebrated with great pomp and show every year in the month of Magh. In the month of Magha, this festival is observed on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha. Spring is one of the six seasons of the year called Rituraj. Mata Saraswati is worshipped on this day because it is believed she was born on Basant Panchami.

Date and Auspicious Time for Basant/Vasant Panchami Celebration in 2022:

The Basant Panchami festival will be celebrated this year on Saturday, 05 February. On the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of the Magha month as per the Hindu calendar, Basant Panchami is celebrated every year. Therefore, this year Basant/Vasant Panchami will begin at 3:48 AM on Saturday, 05 February. It will end at 3:46 AM on Sunday, 06 February.

Why Mata Saraswati Is Worshipped On Vasant/Basant Panchami?

The goddess Saraswati is worshipped especially at the Basant Panchami festival. Basant Panchami is considered to be the birthdate of Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom. Hence, she is worshipped on this day.

During the creation of the world, Brahma Ji created man, as instructed by Lord Vishnu in the story of the birth of Mata Saraswati. Brahma Ji was saddened by the result of his creation as the entire atmosphere was hung in the air (filled with sadness). Brahma Ji responded by pouring water from his kamandal, and the goddess appeared as a beautiful woman as soon as the water particles fell from the sky. With one hand she held the Veena and with the other a book. A garland was placed on the third hand, while the fourth held the varada mudra. She was the goddess Saraswati.

Everything in the world had a voice when Maa Saraswati played the Veena. This is why she was known as Goddess Saraswati. In honor of Basant Panchami, since then the people have been worshipping Goddess Sarawati in Dev Lok and Mrityu Lok.

What is the Significance of Basant/Vasant Panchami?

This day is also believed to mark the appearance of the Goddess of the Vedas, so starting an education and any other new activity is considered auspicious. The worship of Goddess Saraswati on this day is considered beneficial by scholars. Kamadeva is also worshiped on this day, according to another religious tradition. A husband and wife are believed to lead happy married lives if they worship Lord Kamadeva and Goddess Rati, on this day.

Why Rati and Kamdev are worshipped on Vasant/Basant Panchami:

As per religious beliefs, Kamdev and Rati landed on earth on the day of Basant Panchmi, and the spring season was born. Love on earth also increased with the arrival of Kamdev and Rati. In this season on earth, the love transmitted by Kamdev is embraced by every living thing, and the two are worshipped together.

What is the Pooja Vidhi For Basant/Vasant Panchmi?

• Take a bath after waking up early on the day of Basant Panchami and worship Maa Saraswati.
• Offer yellow flowers to Maa Sarawati and dress her idol in yellow clothes.
• During this festival, everything is decorated with yellow flowers, since it is believed that this event ushers in the spring season.
• Offer Maa Sarawati roli, sandalwood, turmeric, saffron, yellow or white flowers, and yellow sweets.
• Placing musical instruments and books around the place of worship helps to create an atmosphere of reverence.
• Offering prasad after aarti to Maa Saraswati is considered a sacred act.
• Bhog should be offered to everyone after worship, and you should take a piece of it too.

Relation of Vasant/Basant Panchami and Yellow Color:

It is believed that yellow holds a special significance on Basant Panchami. Traditionally, yellow clothes are to be worn on this day, yellow flowers should be offered to Goddess Sarawati, and yellow food should be prepared. All of these actions will provide immense benefits. After the extreme cold of the winter, the weather begins to get pleasant after the day of Basant Panchami. The trees and plants everywhere also start to bloom with new leaves, flowers, and buds.

Due to the mustard crop, the earth looks yellow during this season. The yellow rays of the sun are also believed to illuminate the earth on the day of Basant Panchami when the sun is in Uttarayan. Hence, yellow clothes are also worn. On this day of Basant Panchami, Sarawati Puja brings auspicious results to the festival celebrating Basant Panchami.