Vasant Panchami is marked as the festival of knowledge by worshiping Goddess Saraswati , the yellow color has great significance on this day, it is celebrated on the first day of the Spring season and fifth day of the MAGHA month [according to Hindu calendar] where northern states celebrate it as the flowering season of the mustard fields ,flying kites expressing joy on the mature mustard season and the eastern states like west Bengal it is celebrated by worshipping Goddess Durga –the Supreme power of knowledge , southern Indian states mark this auspicious day as SRI PANCHAMI ,exchange gifts and indulge in traditional gourmet , in simpler words VASANT PANCHAMI has the true relevance of Indian festival and culture across the country.
Basant Panchami marks the beginning of the transition period from the severe winters to Spring , after Makar sankranti the SUN starts its northward journey from the tropic of Capricorn fading away the winter to more warmer days. After the transition of the winter the spring comes to full bloom in 30 days around the festival of HOLI.[Festival of colours]
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF VASANT PANCHAMI?
There are several Legends of the festival, according to ancients texts it says POET KALIDASSA was deeply sadden with the incidence when his wife abandoned him and wanted to commit suicide by drowning in river when Goddess Saraswati appeared and blessed him with wisdom to become a great poet of all times and scripted some great ancient writings based on VEDAS like the RAMAYANA ,MAHABHARATA AND PURANAS.
Another legend is based on the Hindu GOD of love KAMA, when lord Shiva was deeply immersed in the meditation, the seers approached GOD KAMA to awaken LORD SHIVA so that he can reconnect to the world, KAMA agreed and shot the arrows at Lord Shiva of yellow flowers and bees, Enraged lord Shiva opened his third eye in anger and destroyed GOD KAMA, when RATI [Kama’s wife] penance of 40 days lord Shiva agreed to bring him back to life on this day of Vasant Panchami .
In another legend and according to Sanskrit scriptures , this very day MAA SARASWATI appeared from the mouth of LORD BRAMHA [the creator of world] to enlighten the world with wisdom , knowledge and enlighten the universe. Hence MAA SARASWATI is worshipped to enlighten the boon of knowledge in the world.
WHY and HOW IS VASANT PANCHAMI CELEBRATED?
VASANT PANCHAMI bids adieu to the winters in most parts of INDIA and marks the beginning of the spring season
There are more legends attached to it and it show the relevance of the festival is deep rooted in Indian culture. Vasant or Basant Panchami also marks the festival of wisdom, knowledge, art, culture, music and is celebrated by worshipping Goddess Saraswati in schools, colleges, temples with rendition of SHOLOKAS, POEMS, and cooking yellow traditional gourmet and wearing yellow colors; it is also called SRI PANCHAMI OR SARASWATI PANCHAMI.
Most of the Indian SAGES and seers have has their Ashrams on the banks of River Saraswati [Sage VED VYASA also had his ashram there]and most of the Vedas, Scripts and UPNISHADAS were created, composed and complied in these Ashrams, this divine knowledge got associated with MAA SARASWATI and thus the practice of worshipping Maa SARASWATI as goddess of wisdom , enlightenment and knowledge.
CELEBERAIONS IN DIFFERENT REGIONS AND DIFFERENT CAUSES
While in Punjab the people can be seen flying kites, wearing yellow attires and enjoying traditional foods –on the other hand GUJARAT celebrates it by gifting yellow flowers to each other, IN MAHARASTRA people worship lord SHIVA AND MAA PARWATI by visiting the temples and where as in BIHAR people worship their deity SUN and install their statues and visit SUN temples.
SOUTHERN INDIA marks this day as SRI PANCHAMI, SRI is also known as GODDESS LAXMI –the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Wishing happy vasant to all the readers here.
