Vasant Panchami Day is dedicated to Saraswati Devi, she is the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology. The goddess Saraswati is worshipped at the time of Vasant Panchami. Vasant Panchami is also known as Shri Panchami and Saraswati Panchami.
People worship the Goddess Saraswati to be enlightened by knowledge and to get rid of lethargy, slowness and ignorance. This ritual of initiation to the education of children is known as Akshar-Abhyasam or Vidya-Arambham / Praasana, one of the famous rituals of Vasant Panchami. Schools and colleges organize submissions in the morning to seek the blessing of the goddess.
Purvahna Kala, which is the time between sunrise and sunset, is considered to decide the day of Vasant Panchami. Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the day when Panchami Tithi reigns over Purvahna Kala. Because Vasant Panchami could also fall into Chaturthi Tithi.
Many astrologers consider Vasant Panchami as a day of Abujha which is conducive to begin all good work. According to this belief, the whole day of Vasant Panchami is conducive to the execution of Saraswati Puja.
Although there is no special time to perform Saraswati Puja on the day of Vasant Panchami, one should ensure that Puja is over when Panchami Tithi is in force. Many times Panchami Tithi does not prevail all day on Vasant Panchami day, therefore, we believe it is important to make Saraswati puja within Panchami Tithi.
Elders suggests the time of Saraswati Puja during Purvahna Kala while Panchami Tithi prevails. Purvahna Kala falls between dawn and noon, which is also the time when most people perform Saraswati Puja, including schools and colleges in India.
Vasant Panchami History:
There is an interesting history behind the reason for why we celebrate Vasant Panchami. As per popular belief, goddess Saraswati, who is said to be the deity of learning, music and art was born on this day and people worship her to achieve wisdom. Hence people are often seen celebrating Saraswati Puja on Basant Panchami.
Vasant Panchami Significance:
Goddess Saraswati is the one who gives us wisdom. Basant Panchami is also when the Spring season begins in India and the mustard flowers bloom. It is the colour yellow which is associated with the festival, and entire fields of mustard flowers resemble beds of yellow flowers when in full bloom. People wear yellow coloured clothes and also eat food that has the colour yellow in it (like khichdi). Goddess Saraswati’s idols are covered in yellow sarees as it is believed that it is one of her favourite colours.
Basant Panchami is the time when people start giving the first lessons on education to their children. This custom is referred to as Vidyarambam. It is also known as Aksharabhyasam.
