Just like we worship and chant prayers for Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali, Goddess Durga on the vibrant days of Navratra; similarly Goddess Saraswati is worshipped for getting knowledge on this Hindu festival. This day is also known as Shri Panchami or Saraswati Panchami or Saraswati Puja. The Saraswati Puja celebration is majorly regarded the event of students.
Vasant Panchami OR Basant Panchami is the joyful festival of spring season that falls soon after chilly winter ends. The festival is celebrated in Magh that means around end of January & start of February. Plus, the yellow color is the major key identity of the day as it lights up the whole environment in yellow color. Be it the dresses of girls, Sarees of ladies, Dhoti or Kurta carried by Men or even the delicious sweets…everything seems to be yellow. The yellow color represents Sattva Guna that is, prosperity, purity and love.
This festival is celebrated to express our honour to Maa Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and learning. Moreover, majority of schools and colleges starts their work or teachings along with the kids by arranging some chanting of prayers for some time.
We have jot down the famous Stuti dedicated to Goddess Saraswati that is recited during the Saraswati Puja celebration or Vasant Panchami Puja.
याकुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवलायाशुभ्रवस्त्रावृता
यावीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरायाश्वेतपद्मासना।
याब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैःसदावन्दिता
सामांपातुसरस्वतीभगवतीनिःशेषजाड्यापहा॥
शुक्लांब्रह्मविचारसारपरमामाद्यांजगद्व्यापिनीं
वीणा–पुस्तक–धारिणीमभयदांजाड्यान्धकारापहाम्।
हस्तेस्फटिकमालिकांविदधतींपद्मासनेसंस्थिताम्
वन्देतांपरमेश्वरींभगवतींबुद्धिप्रदांशारदाम्॥२॥
Origin & History of Saraswati Puja Celebration
We have been celebrating Vasant Panchami with a firm belief that this day, Goddess Saraswati was born. Hence, Hindus started praying and chanting the name of Maa Saraswati for receiving blessings from her in form of knowledge, science, technology, and art of life. The statue of Goddess Saraswati is all dressed in White color as its being her favourite.
Many astrologers and mind makers have described this day as the best day to start anything related to provide or receive education. The great example for this is Indian guru and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. He inaugurated the Hindu Vishva Vidhalaya in Banaras on Vasant Panchami & hence, the trend started in this respect.
Religious Names and Importance of Saraswati Puja
This festival of kites is celebrated at different places by different religions. In Punjab, we can observe the Gurudwaras as Sikh festivals. In Bihar, it is said to be the birthday of Deo-SunGod. The name and style is different but the celebration is what we do at on this day.
Kite Flying- An Important Part of Celebration
It is a trendy show that can be seen at this day everywhere in the sky. Young boys and girls along with their elder ones get ready to go on terrace and fly kites for hours. At some places, the Kites and art competition is being held for making this day a special one.
Do enjoy the kite session too for mind freshness.
