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Vasant Panchami / Basant Panchami

Vasant Panchami is a major spring festival that marks the birthday of Goddess Saraswati. Goddess Saraswati is also known as Goddess of knowledge and arts. People especially students and artists celebrate this festival by offering prayers to Goddess Saraswati.
Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami (Basant Panchami) is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the start of spring and starts the preparations for Holi which is 40 days later. 

It marks the birthday of Goddess Saraswati, known as Goddess of knowledge and arts. In some regions, people, especially students and artists celebrate this festival by offering prayers to Goddess Saraswati. Yellow handkerchiefs, yellow clothes, and yellow tilaks on the forehead is common. 

History of Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami is celebrated by Hindus all around the world in different ways. According to several Hindu texts and sculptures, it has been said that Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja is the day when the Goddess of learning, music, and art Saraswati was born. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on this day to win her special grace.

This day considered very importantly for all the Hindus, especially those who are studying. Students on this day pray to Goddess Saraswati to seek success for their academic goals. The mention of the deity Saraswati is found in the medieval and ancient Indian literature between the years 1000BC to 1500 A.D. According to these texts, Goddess Saraswati is known to be Celestial being that appeared at the time of the creation of the universe by Lord Brahma. She forms an integral part of the trinity of the three Goddesses Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahaparvati. These divine forms assist the trinity of Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma in the recycle, regeneration and maintenance of the universe.

Goddess Saraswati is also considered to be the mother of mellifluous music and fluent speech. Goddess Saraswati has been given the same importance as to the Holy river of Ganga and she is also known to be the deity of purifying, healing powers and flowing rivers.

The Story of Goddess Saraswati lays back to the creation of the universe.

Lord Bharam who is known to create the universe wanted to create life on earth. To do this, he created a female through his thigh. The female creation of Lord Brahma was an epitome of grace and beauty. Upon looking at her, Brahma felt in love with her and wanted to marry her. She was none other than Goddess Saraswati. Goddess Saraswati considered him to be his father and did not want to marry him. To escape from Brahma amorous glances, she went to heaven. Lord Brahma followed her to heaven and convinced her to get married as this was the only way he could create life on earth.

Click here to learn more about how Vasant Panchami is celebrated in India

 

Vasant Panchami