Awakening the Spirit: Basant Panchami’s Triumph of Colors, Wisdom and Renewal

Basant Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrated to welcome Basant (spring) season.

Namaste!

Welcome to the world of engrossed readings at www.onindianpath.com. We are going to unveil the facts about Basant Panchami 2024, meaning, significance and cultural variances.

Introduction

Particulalry, Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami, Shree Panchami, Saraswati Panchami, a festival is celebrated to mark the arrival of the spring season and the birth of Goddess Saraswati. Moreover, Basant Panchami marks the beginning of Holi celebrations.

Additionally, people often wear yellow clothing, fly kites and participate in various cultural activities to celebrate it. Infact, at many places like Kolkatta, students traditionally honour their teachers on this day.

Date and tithi of Basant Panchami

Indeed, in 2024, we are having Basant Panchami on 14th February. As per Hindu Panchang, it falls on fifth day of shukla paksha of Magha Mas. Furthermore, the titthi will start at 2:41PM on 13th February 2024 and will end at 12:09 PM on 14 February 2024.

Who is goddess Saraswati?

Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge, learning, music, arts, speech and wisdom. Meanwhile, people worship her in hope to recieve tremendous wisdom and intelligence. In addition to this, she is also known by the names-Vaani, Sharda, Bhageshwari, Vedmata, Veenawadhini.

However, many ancient text suggests that she is daughter of Lord Brahma and lives in Satya Loka. Whereas, other text suggests that Goddess Saraswati is wife of Lord Brahma called Maa Gayatri.

According to Puranas, she is a beautiful woman with shewtwarn (fair skinned), wear white saree and plays Veena (Indian musical Instrument). She is often depicted as sitting on White lotus showing peace and purity. Additionally, Swan is her constant companion personifies virtuous knowledge.

Coversely, she is shown in sitting in Padmasana with 2 hands in many images and idols. However, many ancient text suggests that she had four hands. Also, she symbolizes elegance and simplicity.

Significance of Basant Panchami

Although, Basant Panchami is auspicious day to start any new inning. Basant Panchami holds great religious and cultural significance for Hindu Community worldwide. Hence, it is the day of acknowledging and embracing the knoweldge and wisdom and get rid of ignorance.

Moreover, hindus believe that on this day, Shubh Muhurat is not required for new startup, as it has abhujh muhurat (a day has all the planets aligned favourably for all the auspicious work) the day.

Apparently, many people opt for grihpravesh (entering new home), udhghatan (starting a new venture), Yagopari and Mundan sanskara (ceremonial celebrations at younger age of child), marriages and engagements.

Why do Indians prefer yellow colour on Basant Panchami?

Certainly, yellow colour is very dear to Hindu Goddess Saraswati. Thus, yellow colour is associated with Basant Panchami as it signifies the vibrancy and freshness of spring.

Also, it is considered auspicious to have yellow colour all around on this day. Not only Hindus wear yellow clothes but also offer yellow flowers and yellow-colored sweets and delicacies to the goddess as bhog.

Subsequently, this is the reason, Hinduism is rich in customs and celebrtions. All these practices of yellow color are part of the festivity to symbolize the blossoming of nature during the spring season.

My way of celebrating Basant Panchami

Infact, I still remember when I was a child, my mom used to cook sweet yellow coloured rice on Basant Panchami. We all used to relish this amazing and tasty delicacy with full of zeal and enthusiasm.

Vasant in Dayalbagh with Radhaswami

Namely in Agra, Basant Panchami holds great significance for a community called Radhaswamis. Radhaswami satsang is a meditation movement. Likewise, it is the birth anniversary of their originator, Hujuri Sahib.

For them, Basant Panchami is like Diwali to celebrate. And, they decorate their homes and offices with yellow color marigolds and rangolis. Also, they even light up diyas and colourful lights in their homes.Eventually, they also arrange get together and feasting party’s for each other.

Traditional celebrations

Besides, devotees come together to honour goddess Saraswati and celebrate the essence in different ways at different geographical locations.

Firstly, Punjab and Haryana have tradition of the fluttering kites in the sky, whereas in West Bengal and Bihar, one can experience the mellifluous tunes of devotion on Basant Panchami. Popularly known as Saraswati Pujo, devotees wear yellow color saree and keep books under the feet of maa Saraswati idol till the idol is immersed. Thus, the festival becomes a symbol of renewal, knowledge and artistic expression.

Secondly, in Rajasthan people wear jasmine garlands in different hues of yellow. Likewise, in Odhisa, it is marked as Shree Panchami, symbolically people revere goddess Lakshmi on this day.

Similarly in Gujarat, people exchange flowers, garlands and bouquets made with mango leaves. Conversely, Basant Panchami is a grand festival in Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra where newly married couple visit temple on Basant Panchami with great devotion.

Conclusion

At the end, Basant Panchami is a joyous celebration that welcomes the arrival of spring and holds profound cultural and spiritual significance. Nevertheless, Basant Panchami resonates with the essence of new beginnings and birth of Goddess of wisdom.

To sum up, it’s the time to cherish the festival as an auspicious day to bring inspiration, wisdom and a sense of spiritual rejuvenation for all.

Have a blessed day ahead. Keep growing with us.

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