Significance of Basant Panchami in India
Maa Saraswati is a Hindu goddess of arts, music, knowledge, and learning. Thus students, professionals, musicians, scholars, and artists worship Saraswati Mata to achieve skills, wisdom, knowledge, and artwork. This day is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (Vidya ki Devi).
The bright festival of Basant Panchami also known as Vasant Panchami, is celebrated towards the beginning of Magh Maas(month). This day, devotees give respect to Goddess Saraswati, who is the ocean of knowledge, education, music and art to achieve skills in these fields. Vasant Utsava is also observed forty days before the beginning of spring and signs the day as preparation of Holika and Holi festival.
The festival marked the agricultural fields ripening with yellow flowers of the mustard crop blooming the whole field which Hindus believed with Saraswati Mata’s favorite color. Goddess Saraswati is the one who gives us wisdom.
Note – Visit here -> Basant Panchami 2021’s Rituals, Puja, Date and Time in Hindi for read in Hindi.
Different Ways of Celebrating Basant Panchami
Basant Panchami is observed in several different ways in a distinct part of India. The festival of Vasant Panchami is also known as “Shree Panchami” in South India, they add saffron to their rice and then eat yellow cooked rice as a part of feast. It is also known as “Saraswati Puja” in East India mostly in U.P, Bihar, West Bengal, Asaam, etc. Although, in North India mainly in Punjab, it is celebrated as a “Festival of Kites” while in Rajasthan rituals, it is observed as “Wearing Jasmine Garland with white attire”.
People dress in yellow oufits and accessories, share yellow food (khichdi) and sweets (besan k laddu), etc. They start the day by wishing their loved ones and friends on the occasion of Vasant Panchami.
Historical Value
There is an interesting history that why we celebrate Basant Panchami. According to Hindu Methodology, goddess Saraswati, who is said to be the deity of learning, music and art was born on this day and people worship her to achieve wisdom (gyan). Therefore, people are usually seen celebrating Saraswati Puja on Basant Panchami.
Basant Panchami is the day when people start giving the first lessons on education to their children. This custom is referred to as ‘Vidyarambam’. It is also known as ‘Aksharabhyasam’.
The significance of Basant Panchami is very special in Hindu culture. The day is observed immensely auspicious to start any new work, get married or conduct house warming ceremony (griha pravesh),etc.
Embodies of Goddess Saraswati
The Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of brain and knowledge. She has four hands which symbolize ego, wisdom, alertness and the mind. She carries a lotus and scriptures in her both hands and she plays music on the Veena (an instrument) with her hands. She rides on a white swan. Her white dress is a symbol for purity. Her swan signifies that people should have the ability to observe the good from the bad. She is also well-versed in the experience of truth.
Value of Yellow Color
The color yellow has a special importance in the celebration of Vasant Panchami as it marks the harvest period of mustard crop that has yellow blooms, which is Goddess Saraswati’s favorite color. Therefore, yellow attire is worn by the devotees of Saraswati. Furthermore, traditional feast is prepared for the festival so the dishes are commonly yellow and saffron in color.
Celebration Time and Date
Basant Panchmi or Vasant Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrated every year at fifth day in the month of magha which generally falls in the end of Jan-Feb according to the Hindu calendar that indicates the end of winter season and arrival of spring season in India. This year in 2021, the festival of Saraswati puja is going to be performed on Tuesday, 16 February.
Puja Subh Muhurt- 06:59 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.
Worshipping Material
Kalash, Water vessel, Coconut, Roli, Moli dhaga, Paan, Betel nut, Whole rice, Deepak, Cotton, Ghee, Maa Saraswati and Lord Ganesha’s picture, Sandalwood, Milk, Yogurt, Honey, Sugar, Sindoor, Flower, Yellow clothes, Kumkum, Camphor, Cloves, Cardamom etc.
Method of Worship
Early morning take bath and wear clean clothes. Place a Kalash on a new yellow cloth placed at worship area. Always keep Lord Ganesha idol with Goddess Saraswati. Offer turmeric, kumkum, and rice for invoking the god to come to your home. Now, fill the Kalash with water and put mango leaves and betel leaf over it. Place an art piece i.e. book, pen, inkpot, etc., anything of your choice related to knowledge and learning before Goddess Saraswati’s idol or image. Also, offer gulal at the feet of the goddess. Light dhoop, deep and meditate on the goddess and offer prasad, fruits, bel leaves and mango leaves. After that do aarti and pray goddess to shower blessings to you and your family.
Havan in Saraswati Puja
After Puja, a havan should be performed in the name of Saraswati Mata. Then, the mantra should be performed 108 times in the name of Goddess Saraswati “Om Sri Saraswate Namah Swaha”. After the Havan, do the Aarti of Saraswati Mata and perform the Havan.
Then Chant Vandana given below-
Maa Saraswati Vandana in English
Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala Ya Shubhra Vastravrita
Ya Veena Varadanda Manditakara Ya Shveta Padmasana
Ya Brahmachyuta Shankara Prabhritibhir Devaih Sada Pujita
Sa Mam Pattu Saravatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha Jadyapaha॥1॥
Shuklam Brahmavichara Sara, Parmamadyam Jagadvyapineem
Veena Pustaka Dharineema Bhayadam Jadyandhakarapaham।
Haste Sphatikamalikam Vidadhateem Padmasane Samsthitam
Vande Tam Parmeshvareem Bhagwateem Buddhipradam Sharadam॥2॥
Maa Saraswati Mantra in English
“Om Aaim”
“Om Aaim Saraswatey Namah”
“Om Aaim Hrim Klim Mahasaraswatey Devye Namah”
Maa Saraswati Aarti in English
Om jai saraswati mata, jai jai saraswati mata
Sadgun vaibhav shalini, tribhuvan vikhyata
Jai jai saraswati mata
Chandravadani padmasini dyuti mangal kaari
Sohe shubh hans sawaari, atul tej dhaari
Jai jai saraswati mata
Baaye kar mein veena, daaye kar mala
Sheesh mukut mani shohe, gale motiyan mala
Jai jai saraswati mata
Devi sharan jo aaye, unka uddhar kiya
Baithi manthra dasi, rawan sanhar kiya
Jai jai saraswati mata
Vidya gyan pradayini, jag mein gyan prakash bharo
Moh aur agyan timir ka jag se nash karo
Jai jai saraswati mata
Dhoop deep fal meva, man swikaar karo
Gyanchkshu de mata , jag nistar karo
Jai jai saraswati mata
Maa sarswati ji aarti jo koi nar gave
Hitkari shukhkari gyan bhakti pave
Jai jai saraswati mata
Immersion of Maa Saraswati Idol
After worshipping Saraswati Maa on the day of Magh Shukla Panchami, the statue should be bowed and flown with respect into the pure running water (river or pond) in the evening.
Here’s a look at some greetings, wishes, quotes, and pictures which you can share with your loved ones to celebrate the festival of the spring season.
Wishes for Basant Panchami
- Maa Saraswati ka vasant hai tyohar, Apke jeevan mein sada aaye bahar,
Saraswati har pal virajein apke dwar, Har kaam apka ho jaye safal. Happy Basant Panchami!
- May Goddess Saraswati bless you with the ocean of knowledge which never ends. Happy Basant Panchami!
- With fragrant flowers and fluttering butterflies around, soft breeze whispers in your ear – Happy Basant Panchami!
- With the chill in the weather receding, may your sorrows also vanish like the cold weather. Happy Basant Panchmi!
- Har kathinayi ka hal nikal hi jata hai, Patjhad ek din basant mein badal hi jata hai. Happy Basant Panchmi!
- On the auspicious occasion of Saraswati puja, I wish you always stay blessed with prosperity and success in your life. Happy Basant Panchami!
- The creative power resides in all of us. May Maa Saraswati keep illuminating this flame and bless you in abundance. Happy Basant Panchami!
- Wishing you Happiness, Good fortune, Success, Peace, & Progress on the occasion of Basant Panchami.
- Peele Peele Sarson Ke Phool, Peeli Ude Patang,
Rang Barse Peele Aur Chhaye Sarson Si Umang,
Aapke Jeevan Mein Rahe Sadaa Basant Ke Rang.
Happy Basant Panchami!
Quotes for Saraswati Puja
- Let’s pray the goddess of knowledge and wisdom on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami. May the goddess stop showering her blessings on us. Happy Basant Panchami!
- Just like nature is turning into bright shades, may your life turns into happy shades too! Let’s make merry and dance to the beautiful melody of nature. Happy Basant Panchami!
- As harsh winter ends and mustard flowers bloom, May your life sees no tough time or any gloom. Happy Basant Panchami!
- I pray to Goddess Saraswati for you that, this great occasion of Basant Panchami, May bring huge wealth of knowledge for you & May you be blessed by Goddess Saraswati. Wish you a joyful Basant Panchami.
- Spring is in air, Fresh blossoms everywhere. Sending you my warm greetings on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami!
- Pray goddess Saraswati’s blessings remain with us throughout life. Happy Basant Panchami!
- Yeh Vasant Panchami apke liye mahan ho, apke sir par Maa Saraswati ka vardaan ho. Wish you a happy and prosperous Vasant Utsav!
