Basant Panchami is a very special day across India. A day dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, Basant Panchami is celebrated in the month of Magha according to the Hindu calendar. Maa Saraswati is called the goddess of knowledge and she is specially worshiped on Basant Panchami. It is believed that Mother Saraswati was born on the day of Basant Panchami. The day is significant for Vidhya Arambha or the ritual of introducing young children to the world of books and learning. Both young and old participate with great enthusiasm in Saraswati Puja.
Basant Panchami is on February 16. It is celebrated during ‘Shukla Paksha’ or the Full Moon fortnight in Magha. The muhurat or auspicious time for Saraswati Puja is from 6:59 AM to 12:35 PM. The Panchami Tithi begins at 3:36 AM tomorrow and ends at 5:46 AM on February 17.
Actually, flowers grow on the mustard crop in spring, due to which the yellow color is seen all around. Wearing yellow clothes is considered auspicious on this day. Apart from this, Saraswati’s idols are covered in yellow sarees as it is believed that it is one of her favourite colours and people dress up in yellow attires too as the colour symbolizes prosperity, optimism, energy, and everything positive.
Spring is considered to be the ‘King of all seasons’ and springtime is not only a symbol of prosperity but also considered extremely auspicious to start new work, get married or perform house warming ceremonies (griha pravesh). It is also believed to be the day when Saraswati was born and so the day is sometimes referred to as Saraswati Jayanti where people worship her to seek her blessings for giving them wisdom.
Worshippers believe that without Saraswati the world would be shrouded in ignorance, as she is the one who represents enlightenment. Hence, Saraswati is worshipped on this day along with celebrating the agricultural fields’ ripening with yellow flowers of the mustard crop.
