Nomenclature and date
Vasant Panchami is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the bright half of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Magha, which typically falls in late January or February. Spring is known as the "King of all Seasons", so the festival commences forty days in advance. It is generally winter-like in northern India, and more spring-like in central and western parts of India on Vasant Panchami, which gives credence to the idea that spring is actually in full bloom 40 days after the Vasant Panchami day.
The festival is particularly observed by Hindus in the Indian subcontinent, notably India and Nepal. It has been a historical tradition of Sikhs as well. In southern states, the same day is called Sri Panchami.
On the island of Bali and the Hindus of Indonesia, it is known as "Hari Raya Saraswati" (great day of Saraswati). It also marks the beginning of the 210-day long Balinese Pawukon calendar.
Saraswati Puja
Vasant Panchami is a festival of Sikhs that marks the beginning of preparations for spring season. It is celebrated by people in various ways depending on the region. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika and Holi, which occur forty days later. For many, Vasant Panchami is the festival dedicated to goddess Saraswati who is their goddess of knowledge, language, music and all arts. She symbolizes creative energy and power in all its form, including longing and love. The season and festival also celebrate the agricultural fields' ripening with yellow flowers of mustard crop, which Hindus associate with Saraswati's favorite color. People dress in yellow saris or shirts or accessories, share yellow-colored snacks and sweets. Some add saffron to their rice and then eat yellow cooked rice as a part of an elaborate feast.
Many families mark this day by sitting with babies and young children, encouraging their children to write their first words with their fingers, and some study or create music together. The day before Vasant Panchami, Saraswati's temples are filled with food so that she can join the celebrants in the traditional feasting the following morning. In temples and educational institutions, statues of Saraswati are dressed in yellow and worshiped. Many educational institutions arrange special prayers or pujas in the morning to seek the blessing of the goddess. Poetic and musical gatherings are held in some communities in reverence for Saraswati.
In Eastern India, primarily in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura and Assam, as well as in Nepal, people visit Saraswati temples and also worship Goddess Saraswati at home (Saraswati Puja). In West Bengal, it's one of the major festivals for Bengali Hindus and observed by many households; most schools arrange Saraswati puja for their students on their premises. In Bangladesh too, all major educational institutes and universities observe it with a holiday and a special puja.
In the state of Odisha, the festival is celebrated as Basanta Panchami/Sri Panchami /Saraswati Puja. Homas and Yagnas are done in schools and colleges across the state. Students celebrate Saraswati puja with great sincerity and fervor. Usually, children four and five years old start learning on this day in a unique ceremony named 'Khadi-Chuan' or 'Vidya-Arambha'. - this is known as "Haate-Khori" among Bengali Hindus.
In southern states such as Andhra Pradesh, the same day is called Sri Panchami where "Sri" refers to her as another aspect of the one goddess Devi.
Vasant Panchami Wishes
1. All around are beautiful sights, flowers, birds, sweets and kites, Basant Panchami truly delights!
Happy Basant Panchami!
2. Just like nature is turning into bright shades, may your life turn into happy shades too Let's make merry and dance to the beautiful melody of nature Happy Basant Panchami!
3. As the beautiful day of Basant Panchami comes, I hope that it brings forth knowledge and wealth for you. May Goddess Saraswati bless your life with success, happiness, love, and warmth. I hope that all your wishes come true. Happy Basant Panchami to you and your entire family!
4. I pray to Goddess Saraswati for you that, This great occasion of Basant Panchami, May bring a huge wealth of knowledge for you, And may you be blessed by Goddess Saraswati, Wish you a joyful Basant Panchami.
5. May the revered occasion of Basant Panchami, Bring the wealth of knowledge to you, May you be blessed by Goddess Saraswati… and all your wishes come true. Happy Basant Panchami.
6. No greeting card to give, no sweet flowers to send, no cute graphics to forward, just a caring heart wishing u…Happy Basant Panchami.
7. Basant Panchami also called Vasant Panchami, or the festival of kites is mostly observed by Hindus all over the world. On this auspicious day, Saraswati, the goddess of art and wisdom, is worshipped. Vasant and Kamadeva are also honored on this day.
8. Hindu scholars and astrologers consider Basant Panchami as Abujha day which is promising to begin all great work. as per this conviction, the entire Basant Panchami day is promising to perform Saraswati Puja.
9. Basant Panchami is purely dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of wisdom, knowledge, arts, and science. On this Hindu festival day, Goddess Saraswati will be worshipped and honored by the Hindus.
10. Basant Panchami is a festival dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. There is no specified time for performing Saraswati puja on this day, however, it is stated that all the rituals should be performed when the ‘Panchami’ (5th day) tithi is prevailing.
