Bhubaneswar: Basant Panchami is a vibrant and auspicious Hindu festival celebrated to welcome the arrival of spring. Falling typically in late January or early February, this joyous occasion holds cultural and religious significance across India. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, of wisdom, knowledge, and the arts. Devotees, clad in yellow attire, pay homage to Saraswati by offering prayers at temples, schools, and homes.
Basant Panchami falls on the Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Magha, which is February 14, 2024.
The festival has a deep spiritual significance for a variety of reasons, including the fact that it is the time when the Hindu community comes together to worship the goddess Saraswati.
The festival is also a way to honour the god of love, Kama, who is said to have interrupted Lord Shiva in the middle of a deep meditation after the death of his wife Sati.
This day is considered auspicious for initiating educational pursuits, and many students begin their learning journeys on this occasion. The festival also emphasises the cultural and spiritual aspects of life, with devotees seeking blessings for wisdom, creativity, and intellectual pursuits.
CELEBRATION AND TRADITIONS:
Yellow is the most important colour of the festival, representing the knowledge, creativity, and music that Goddess Saraswati is associated with.
People are encouraged to wear yellow clothes and rise early on Saraswati Puja to worship the goddess. As part of the puja, flowers and sweets are offered to the goddess, and hymns and mantras are also chanted in her honour.
