Basant Panchami

Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, Basant Panchami is celebrated in honor of the Goddess of Learning and Music. Also known as Saraswati Puja, Basant Panchami is celebrated with immense zeal and enthusiasm in Delhi. Satwa Guna, a popular name for Goddess Saraswati encompasses Knowledge, Wisdom and Fine arts. The goddess is revered for enlightenment and insight.

The season of Basant or spring is a time when nature is rejuvenated and revived from the cold and dry winter. This new birth in nature is celebrated by welcoming new knowledge and understanding.

Description

In Delhi, on Basant Panchami it is a tradition to wear yellow colored clothes. Both men and women dress in yellow attire and the idol of Goddess Saraswati is dressed in a yellow sari.

Most schools and colleges in Delhi celebrate Basant Panchami to honor the goddess of knowledge and education. Students dress in new clothes and gather in schools to worship the deity.

In every Hindu household, rituals are performed and offerings like flowers and fruits are made to the deity. Books, instruments of music and other art forms are placed at the foot of the deity for her to bless them. Traditional sweets like Kesari Halwa and Kesari sweet rice is made every house celebrating Basant Panchami in Delhi.

Some devotees perform Pitri-Tarpan or the worship of ancestors during Basant Panchami festival. Kamdev, the god of love is also worshipped on this day.

Relatives and friends on this auspicious day visit each other and greet with sweetmeats and other gifts.

Time to celebrate

Basant Panchami is celebrated on every fifth day of the Hindu month of Magh which is usually between January and February.