SIGNIFICANCE OF BASANT PANCHAMI

As the great occasion of Basant Panchami is observed to honor the Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning who bequeaths the greatest wealth of humanity, the wealth of knowledge.

 The Hindu mythology says that: Goddess Saraswati as a pristine lady adorned in a white attire, white flowers, and white pearls, sitting on a white lotus, which blooms in a wide stretch of water. The Goddess also holds Veena, a string-instrument, like Sitar, for playing music. 

The four arms of Goddess Saraswati indicates the four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness, and ego. She rides on a white goose (swan). The swan is known for its peculiar characteristic of separating water from milk, indicating that one should possess clear vision and knowledge to discriminate between good and evil.

It is believed that Goddess Saraswati was born on this day. Students worship the goddess on this day. The prayer of Goddess finally concludes as "Oh Mother Saraswati remove the darkness (ignorance) of my mind and bless me with the eternal knowledge."

Children are taught reading and writing their first words on this day - as it is considered an auspicious day to begin a child's education Students keep their notebooks, pens and educational items near the statue of Goddess Saraswati and distribute sweets among the devotees.

According to another belief, this festival is marked by end of winter and welcoming of spring as 'Basant Ritu' means the spring season in Hindi. Pitr-tarpan (puja for a departed soul) is performed and Brahmins are fed.The god of love Kamadeva is also worshipped on this day.

THE CELEBRATIONS OF BASANT PANCHAMI

'Yellow' is the dominant color of this festival as it signifies the ripening of fruits and crops. The mustard fields in North India blooms during this season giving a yellow coat to nature. People wear yellow clothes, offer yellow flowers to Goddess and put a yellow, turmeric tilak on their forehead. They visit temples and offer prayers to various gods. New clothes are purchased for this festival and many delicious dishes prepared for this particular occasion.