Basant Panchami - why do we celebrate this festival of spring.
Basant Panchami 2021 Date, Tithi and Muhurat
Basant Panchami is on Tuesday, February 16 2021
Basant Panchami Muhurat : 6:59 AM to 12:35 PM
Basant Panchami Madhyahna Moment: 12:35 PM
Panchami Tithi Begins at 3:36 AM on February 16
Panchami Tithi Ends at 5:46 AM on February 17
Importance of Basant Panchami Celebration and Rules
One of the most famous festivals associated with Goddess Saraswati is the Hindu festival of Vasant Panchami.
It is celebrated during 'Shukla Paksha' or the Full Moon fortnight in Magha(Month).
Why Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on this day?
It is known as Basant Panchami OR Vasant Panchami, Saraswati Puja and Saraswati Jayanti in India.
According to mythology, when Lord Brahma created the world, everything was visible in the plants and animals, but he was missing something. To fulfill this scarcity, he sprinkled water from his pot (kamandal) and then a goddess appeared of a beautiful woman form.
This goddess was Mother Saraswati.
When Mother Saraswati played the veena, everything in the world came into a vowel. This is why she got the name Goddess Saraswati.
This was the day of Basant Panchami. Since then, Goddess Saraswati started being worshiped in Dev Lok and Mrityulok.
Being one of the special auspicious times of the year, it is also called "Abuja Muhurt". Marriage, Construction, Annaprashan and other auspicious works can be done in this Month.
The gift of both knowledge and science can be obtained in this season.
This festival marks the beginning of the bright and sunny spring season.
The day is significant for Vidhya Arambha or the ritual of introducing young children to the world of books and learning.
Mythological significance of Basant Panchami
Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on Vasant Panchami.
The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a goddess is in the Rigveda.
She has significance as a goddess from the Vedic period through modern times of Hindu traditions.
Helpful Sources check below
The goddess Saraswati is often depicted as a beautiful woman dressed in pure white or yellow, often seated on a white lotus, which symbolizes light, knowledge and truth.
She does not only embody knowledge but also the experience of the highest reality.
She is generally shown four arms, holding a book, a rosary, a water pot and a musical instrument called Veena.
Each of these items has symbolic meaning in Hinduism.
A hamsa or swan is often shown near her feet. Sometimes a peacock is shown beside the goddess.
She is a part of the Tridevi, the triad of great Goddesses.
She represents the Sattva Guna and Gyan Shakti.
Importance of Basant Panchami
Hindus celebrate Basant Panchami festival in temples, homes and educational institutes.
Cultural programs are also organized in schools and institutes on this day.
People especially students worship Goddess Saraswati also in pandals.
White and yellow are the dominant colors of Basant Panchami.
On Saraswati Puja, people make milk-based sweets and khichdi. Sweets, fruits and khichdi are offered to the goddess first and then distributed as prasad among friends and family members.
On this Day many peoples worship god of love means kama deva.
This festival has special significance for the farmers.
Mustard, Gram, barley, jowar and wheat start blooming.
Spring begins from this day. Spring is called the king of seasons.
During this time the weather becomes pleasant and new fruits and flowers start to grow in the trees.
On this day many places celebrate kite flying.
Do's and Don'ts on the day of Basant Panchami
- Do not wear black or red clothes. you should be worn only white or Yellow Clothes for Basant Panchami day.
- The worship of Maa Saraswati should be begun by facing towards east or north direction.
- Puja should be done in two and a half hours after sunrise or two and a half hours after sunset.
- You must offer yellow or white flowers to Goddess Saraswati during worship.
- You should be avoided debate on this day.
- You can use Misri, Curd etc in the prasad.
- You should not consume Non-Veg, Garlic and Onion Food.
- You must include Pen, Book, Pencil and Instruments in worship.
- You should avoid profanity and quarrel.
- You should not consume Non-Veg, Garlic, Onion Food and alcohol.
- Pitra tarpan should also be done on Basant Panchami.
- It is extremely important to observe Brahmacharya on this day.
- One should not eat food without bathing on the day of Basant Panchami.
- Trees should not be cut on the day of Basant Panchami.
- Offer yellow clothes to Goddess Saraswati Idol.
- Offer roli, turmeric, saffron, sandalwood, yellow or white floral, yellow sweet and intact.
- Recite Maa Saraswati's Vandana or you can use Saraswati MantraMantra
Shri him Saraswataye swaha (श्रीं हीं सरस्वत्यै स्वाहा।)
Om em Namah ("ॐ ऐं नमः")
Om Saraswataye Namah ("ॐ सरस्वत्यै नमः")सरस्वती वंदनाया कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृताया वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना।या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दितासा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचार सार परमामाद्यां जगद्व्यापिनींवीणा-पुस्तक-धारिणीमभयदां जाड्यान्धकारापहाम्।हस्ते स्फटिकमालिकां विदधतीं पद्मासने संस्थिताम्वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धिप्रदां शारदाम्॥२॥
Basant Panchami - why do we celebrate
Basant Panchami marks the beginning of Holi festivities in Brij Bhoomi.
On this day, temples in Mathura and Vrindavan are decorated with yellow flowers.
The idols are also adorned with yellow dresses to mark the arrival of the cheerful spring season.
In Bengal, people on this day take bath with haldi ka ubtan, wear yellow colored clothes and offer their prayers before the idol.
They also fast and prepare different types of sweet and savory dishes for the Goddess and break their fast with the Prasad later in the day.
Written By Mrs. Monika Shrivastava
[Writer]
