Vasant Panchmi 2020

Vasant Panchmi or Basant Panchmi is an important Indian festival that is celebrated in different corners of the country in many different ways with full grandeur. This festival marks the arrival of the spring season and the worshipping of Goddess Saraswati- the symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and the arts. Vasant Panchmi is also considered to be the preparatory time for one of the national festivals of India, Holika Dahan, and Holi which is observed after about 40 days of this festival.

Vasant Panchmi is celebrated on the 5th day of the month of Magh of the Hindu calendar which generally falls in late January or at the beginning of February. Vasant or Basant translates to spring and Panchmi means the 5th day, thus the name of the festival. The date of this festival varies according to the moon. Vasant Panchami 2020 will be observed on January 29.

History of Vasant Panchmi

Vasant Panchami is a significant festival that is celebrated with fervor all across the country. This auspicious day is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati who is considered to be the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, arts, and music. This day also marks the end of winters and the arrival of the spring season. There are numerous folk tales associated with the pious day of Vasant Panchmi. According to a popular belief, this day is related to the renowned poet Kalidas. One day he had an argument with his wife and he went on to commit suicide. At that moment, Goddess Saraswati emerged from the holy water and asked him to dive in there. After taking a dive in the water he became knowledgeable and became a great poet. This is the reason, Goddess Saraswati is known as the deity of wisdom and knowledge.

Another myth about Vasant Panchmi states that it has its roots dated back to the Aryan period. Aryans came and settled in India near the banks of the Saraswati river. Most of their development took place near the river. Hence, they started considering Goddess Saraswati as the symbol of knowledge and fertility. After this, they began celebrating Vasant Panchmi to pay gratitude to Saraswati.

Vasant Panchmi is now celebrated everywhere in the country but it is predominant in the northern parts of the country. People from different religions celebrate this sacred day with great joy and splendor. People follow different traditions to seek blessings from Goddess Saraswati and to celebrate the onset of the vibrant spring season.

Vasant Panchami Celebrations

Vasant Panchami is an important festival that marks the end of the winter season and the start of the spring season. People across the country celebrate this pious day with joy and vibrancy. The yellow color is considered auspicious on this day hence the houses are decorated with yellow flowers. Women and girls wear yellow dresses and even the sweets that are exchanged and distributed to celebrate the occasion of Vasant Panchmi are all yellow. The special delicacy prepared on this day is called Kesar halwa (a sweet dish with strands of Saffron) and motichoor ladoo. This is because yellow color signifies the blooming mustard flowers and the beautiful nature in the coming season.

Saraswati known as the Goddess of knowledge, is also considered the goddess of music, owing to which Vasant Panchmi is also celebrated with grandeur in every educational institution. Children dress up in yellow attire and organize cultural events with dance and musical performances. An idol of Goddess Saraswati is decorated with yellow saree and children offer yellow flowers to the goddess while chanting prayers. People also keep books, pens, and pencils near the feet of the idol to seek blessings for a good academic year for the children of the house.

In some parts of the country, Vasant Panchmi is also celebrated as a kite festival. With several colorful kites adorning the sky, and delectable sweets this festival brings joy and happiness to people’s life in innumerable ways.

Vasant Panchmi Celebrations in Different States

 The festival of Vasant Panchmi is an important Indian festival and is celebrated in different parts of the country. People around the country celebrate this festival in different ways by following various customs and traditions. The festival is mainly associated with the worship of Goddess Saraswati. The Sikh community celebrates Vasant Panchmi as the colorful festival of kites and for Muslims, this festival is an important part of the Sufi tradition. With 2020’s Basant Panchami just around the corner, have a look at how this festival is celebrated in different parts of India.

Punjab and Haryana

The occasion of Vasant Panchmi is celebrated with grandeur in these two North Indian states. Spring fests and carnivals are organized in several areas with numerous cultural performances and fun activities. Women dress up in lovely attires mainly yellow in color, dance together on the beats of dhol and enjoy fun games together. Vasant Panchami Celebrations in Punjab and Haryana is incomplete without kite flying. Kite flying is a popular tradition observed on this day, particularly in these states. Kite flying competitions are also organized in different areas. People gather together, fly colorful kites and enjoy the special delicacies and sweets prepared at this festival. Langars are also distributed in most of the Gurudwaras across the state to celebrate this festival and welcome the spring season.

Uttarkashi

This holy town located in Uttarakhand celebrate Vasant Panchmi as a farmer’s festival. People in Uttarkashi decorate their houses and front doors with yellow flowers to welcome the new spring season. To celebrate the arrival of the season of sowing crops, people wear yellow clothes and prepare dishes like saffron rice and ladoos. The beautiful decorations all around the town and the joy of this auspicious season make the town of Uttarkashi even more beautiful and mesmerizing.

Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh

The occasion of Vasant Panchmi is celebrated with enthusiasm and vibrancy in the states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. People worship Goddess Saraswati by offering flowers and prayers in the temples. The idols of Goddess Saraswati is adorned with lovely jewelry and yellow attire in the temples of different regions. Yellow color plays a crucial role in the celebrations of this festival in these states as well. People wear yellow dresses to celebrate the beginning of the spring season. Also, the special sweet dishes prepared on this day are generally yellow in color like motichoor ladoos and saffron rice.

Fests are also organized in schools and community centers to pay respect to the symbol of knowledge, arts, and music, Goddess Saraswati. Several cultural events including dance performances, painting competitions and musical evenings are organized on this special occasion.

West Bengal

West Bengal is one of the states where the festival of Vasant Panchmi is celebrated as an extravaganza with great zeal and enthusiasm. The festival is known as Sri Panchami in the state. Grand pandals or tents are set up to welcome Goddess Saraswati. A huge idol of Saraswati is adorned with flowers and jewelry and is worshipped by the huge gathering. People offer sweets and flowers to the deity and pray for the upcoming spring season. Also, pens, notebooks and other things used by students are kept near the feet to seek the blessings from the Goddess of knowledge and arts. Classical music and dance performances also form a major part of this mega event. According to tradition, the idols of Saraswati are to be immersed in the holy water after the festival. Colorful possessions are organized to carry the idols from numerous pandals and lead to the waterbody where they are immersed.

Bihar

Vasant Panchmi is also observed in the state of Bihar as one of the important festivals of the year. In Bihar, this festival is celebrated as a Sun festival and people worship the Sun God, Surya in the morning. Goddess Saraswati, Holy Ganga, and the Earth are also worshipped on this day. People get up early in the morning and get dressed in yellow clothing and put yellow turmeric tilak on their foreheads before chanting the prayers and performing the rituals. Vasant Panchami festival is also celebrated in schools, colleges and most of the places of worship.

The festival of Vasant Panchmi is considered as the new beginning with the arrival of the spring season. This season of sowing crops is associated with renewal and is celebrated with much joy and magnificence across the country. Wish your loved ones a very happy Basant Panchmi and enjoy this auspicious festival with everyone, get dressed, eat sweets and welcome happiness and good luck in your lives.