Vasanta Pancami is one of the most popular festivals that is celebrated with full fervor and enthusiasm across the country. This festival marks the arrival of spring season where Goddess Sarasvati, the goddess of knowledge, is worshiped. Basant Panchami or Vasanta Pancami is an auspicious festival of the Hindus which is celebrated to mark the preparation for the arrival of spring. The festival is celebrated across India on the fifth day (Pancami Tithi) of the Hindu month of Magha, Sukla Paksa.
It is also called Sri Pancami in the South and is dedicated to Goddess Sarasvati, who is considered as the Goddess of knowledge, music, learning and arts. According to Hinduism, Brahma is the creator of this universe. So, one day, he wanted to see this creation with his own eyes. But he was disappointed with the silence and loneliness of the earth. Then he created an angel with his powers. The angel had a Veena in her hand, so Brahma requested her to play something.
Then she blessed people on the earth with her voice. This angel then came to be known as Sarasvati or Veena Vadini. Spring is considered by many as the ‘King of all seasons’ and springtime is considered auspicious to start new work. Hindus believe that Sarasvati was born on this day and that’s why it is also referred to as Sarasvati Jayanti. The goddess is depicted as a white saree clad woman who is seated on a white lotus and holding a veena. Her mount is the white swan or Hamsa. The word Saraswati is derived from ‘Saras’ that is flow in watery pools and the suffix ‘vati’ which means possessor. Thus, Goddess Sarasvati is the embodiment of the perennial flow of knowledge.
The swan, which is the carrier of Sarasvat” is supposed to possess incredible power of discrimination between real and unreal, right and wrong. According to Hindu scriptures, Sarasvat” is also a part of the three main goddesses or Tridevi. The other two are Lakshmi and Parvati. As the goddess of learning, arts and cultural fulfillment, she symbolizes universal intelligence, consciousness and knowledge.
This day is celebrated as an ode to Goddess Sarasvati. Since yellow is considered to be the favorite color of the goddess, people like to celebrate this day wearing yellow-coloured outfits. Clay idols of the goddess with a crescent moon on the brow, riding a swan or seated on a lotus flower with flowers, fruits, and sweets are placed as offerings before it can be seen in various Puja Pandals. Vasanta Pancami will be celebrated on 5th February 2022. Yoga Vidya Gurukulam wishes everyone a happy Vasanta Pancami