Celebrating Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami also referred to, as Saraswati Puja is an auspicious Hindu festival celebrated in India. This vibrant festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the bright half of the Magha month in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It marks the beginning of Spring and also signifies the start of preparation of Holi and harvesting new crops.

Rituals to observe on Vasant Panchami:

Vasant Panchami is believed to be the birth anniversary of Maa Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of knowledge wisdom, music, art and learning. She is also associated with creative power, purification and discernment. In many states in India, on this day, devotees perform Puja and offer mustard, marigold flowers , saffron rice and sweets to the Goddess, decorate temples, sing hymns and seek Maa Saraswati’s blessing.

It is believed that yellow is the favorite color of Maa Saraswati so it is considered an auspicious color associated with Spring, when mustard flowers bloom. Devotees wear yellow colored clothes on Vasant Panchami and even fly yellow colored kites in celebration of the festival.

Saraswati Puja

The most auspicious time to perform Saraswati Puja on Vasant Panchami is during Panchimi Tithi, which this year prevails from 7:09 AM to 12:35 PM on 2 nd February 2025. The festival follows the tradition of Purvahna Kala, which is the time between sunrise and midday to decide the correct observances of the day. Devotees dress themselves in yellow attire, decorate their homes with yellow flowers, place their books, instruments of music and learning near the image or idol of Maa Saraswati to seek her blessings.

Vidyarambham/ Aksharabhyasam:

The word “Vidya” means knowledge and “Aarambham” means beginning. “Akshara” means letters or alphabets and “ Abhyasam” means practice. Vidyaarambham is a ceremony where young children are formally introduced to learning and Parents and Teacher make them write their first letter on a plate of rice. The person initiating the child writes letters on the child’s tongue with a gold ring or coin. Since Vasant Panchami honors the Goddess of Knowledge, it is considered extremely auspicious to initiate children to education and seek blessings for children’s academic success.

Abuja Day:

Abuja Muhurta is day considered auspicious in Hinduism. It is day believed to be free of defects and dosha. Vasant Panchami is considered as an Abuja day. It is considered the best time to start new ventures, business or any new work. Even marriage ceremonies can be held on Abuja day without any Muhurat.

Some Stories associated with Vasant Panchami:

A popular story associated with this festival is that the poet Kalidasa with the intention to commit suicide went to drown in a river after his intellectual wife abandoned him as he was not more intelligent than her.

Maa Saraswati emerged from that river and told Kalidasa to bathe in the river instead. After doing that, he was gifted with wisdom and insight by the Goddess. He went onto become one of most revered and admired poet and playwright in Sanskrit Literature. Another tale associated with Vasant Panchami is that once Lord Shiva was in deep penance after the self-immolation of his wife Sati. He had vowed to never marry again. Sati had reincarnated into Parvati and after failing to win Lord Shiva’s love requested Lord Kamadeva( the God of Love) to rouse Lord Shiva from his meditation. Kamadeva shot an arrow made of flowers and bees to disrupt him and bring him back to the world to reunite with Parvati. However. Lord Shiva was enraged by this and opened his third eye and turned Lord Kamadeva into ashes. Rati, Kamadeva’s wife devasted by this performed a 40 day penance to appease Lord Shiva. On the day of Vasant Panchami, Lord Shiva granted her wish and brought her husband back to life. Lord Kamadeva along with his wife Rati are also worshipped in many parts of India by couples on this festival so that their married lives are blessed.

As we celebrate Vasant Panchami and honor Maa Saraswati , may her blessings impart us all with wisdom and bring us all together in harmony ,joy and celebration.