Worship of Ma Devi Saraswati – Vasant Panchami

The Spring - Vasant season starts from the 5th day of the Magha month. According to our holy scriptures, Ma Devi Saraswati incarnated on this day from Lord Brahma’s mind. This day is also known as Vasant or Shree Panchami or Saraswati Panchami. Thus Vasant Panchami is celebrated in the honor of Goddess Saraswati; the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, arts and music. It is celebrated across the India with various traditions with Ma Devi Saraswati as center. The main color of Vasant is yellow as it symbolizes prosperity, light, energy and optimism. Bright yellow color holds great importance on this day so people wear yellow clothes and make traditional delicacies in yellow shades. Vasant Panchmi is considered as the best day for students to worship Ma Saraswati and seek blessing. As per the astrology, Vasant Panchami is the best day for weddings and starting new activities. We feel rapid changes in our health due to season change from winter to spring, so we all should worship Lord Dhanvantari on this day for good health as well.

Spring is the season of festival of Nature, during this time nature is at top most height of beauty same like young for entire life. Importance and beauty of spring is mentioned in all our holy scripture. Human has to be always remains in touch with Nature, it will help in resolving all hurdles or at least for some time human just forgot all problems. Proximity with nature will create pleasure and consciousness in heart, if human remember the Lord at this time then it will create more positivity. Spring is festival and symbol of optimism, prosperity and achievement, Human has to keep hope in life and stay away from disappointment, leaves which are fall down from tree during autumn, grow again during the spring. It is nothing but the miracle of Lord that without rain whole nature will grow during spring. Saint and Poet are always waiting for this season. In short spring is the season of youth and restrain, hope and achievement, reality and imagination, devotion and power, creation and dissolution, beauty and music. Thus spring is also known as the queen of all season.

Story and Rituals behind Vasant Panchami

The story of Saraswati Pujan is mentioned in the Brahma Purana. Lord Shree Krishna granted boon to Saraswati of being worshiped on Vasant Panchami. People feed Brahmans with great honor and belief that their ancestors are accepting the food. Initiating education in the kids is one of the rituals followed on Vasant Panchami. There is no particular time to perform Saraswati Puja on Vasant Panchami day.

Vasant Panchami initiates the spring festive cycle and indicates its outline with Holi. The 40 days time between Vasant Panchami and Holi corresponds with 40 days of Rati's penance. Her husband, Kamadeva was reduced to ashes for shooting love arrows on the eye of Shiva. Between Vasant Panchami and Holi, preparations are made for numerous burnings in dummy of demines Holika.

Celebration of Vasant Panchami in various region of India

Kite flying is an important tradition in several North Indian states and harvest festival in many regions. Fair is arranged at the famous Sikh shrine of Guru-ka-Lahore in Bilaspur district to mark the occasion of the marriage of Guru Gobind Singh Ji - tenth Sikh Guru on Vasant Panchami. In South India Saraswati is worshiped on the ninth day of Navratri in the month of Ashwin. People dress up in bright yellow dresses and participate in various celebrations. Vasant Panchami is associated with Shringara Rasam, so it is celebrated in this tradition. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped in educational institute and Saraswati puja is performed.