The onset of spring brings with it a wave of festivity and joy. It’s that time of the year when students, artists and devotees seek the blessings of Goddess Sarawati by worshipping and celebrating Basant Panchami. This day is known as Saraswati Puja. This year, people celebrated Basant Panchami yesterday, that is, on 5th February 2022 (Saturday).
What is Saraswati Puja?
The festival of Basant Panchami holds utmost importance for students as Devi Saraswati is the Goddess of Knowledge. Thus, on this day devotees observe fast, follow rituals, sing hymns and celebrate the day by offering delicious bhog to the deity.
Date and timings of this puja
People celebrate Basant Panchami on the fifth day (Panchami Tithi) of the Magha month on the Shukla Paksha as per the Hindu calendar. Basant Panchami falls on the fifth day of the bright lunar cycle. The festival gets its name from ‘Basant’ which means spring and ‘Panchami’ the fifth day of the Magha Maas.
This year, they celebrated Basant Panchami on 5th February 2022. The shubh muhurat for the Panchami tithi began at 3:47 am and continued till 3:46 am on February 6 (today). The shubh muhurat for Saraswati puja began at 7:07 am to 12:35 pm.
What is the significance of Saraswati Puja?
According to Hindu mythology, after the creation of earth Lord Brahma went to see the universe he had created. When Lord Brahma saw his creation he literally cried with disappointment with the silence and loneliness on the earth.
He then decided to create an angel to reduce silence and darkness by creating Goddess Saraswati. He created an angel with immense powers and knowledge with a harp in her hands. Lord Brahma requested her to play something and since then people on earth believe that Devi Saraswati blessed his creation with music, soulful voice and immense knowledge. This is why Goddess Saraswati is also known as Veena Vadini.
This is why on this day, that is Saraswati Puja, students, artists and seekers of knowledge observe fasts. They pray to the deity for wisdom, enlightenment and serenity.
What are the rituals and food preparations on this auspicious day?
This day holds a special place in Hindu culture. This is because on this day small kids get their first writing lesson after seeking Goddess Saraswati’s blessings. The ritual is known as Akshar Abhyasam or Vidya Arambham. Apart from that on this day, students keep their books and pens around the deity’s feet. They do not touch the books until the puja is over.
What is the significance of the colour yellow on Saraswati Puja?
People on earth believe that the yellow colour is Goddess Saraswati’s favourite. This is the reason why on this day from the decorations to delicacies to attire, everything revolves around various shades of yellow. They believe that the yellow colour represents energy, knowledge and enlightenment.
Traditionally, on this day, people offer yellow coloured delicacies to the deity. Right from sumptuous kheer to ladoos to khichdi to pulao to sweet ber and fruits, food adds a touch of zeal to the festivity.
Saraswati Puja is a major festival of Bihar. Accordingly, the people there offer a unique prasad of Sev, Boondi and green Ber to the Goddess along with Dahi and Chidwa.
3 important wishes on this festival
- Wishing you happiness, good fortune, success, and progress on the occasion of Basant Panchami.
- May Maa Saraswati keep illuminating you with abundance and blessing your creative energy.
- May all the goodness in this world touch your soul and bless you with the greatest gift of all — knowledge.
