Basant Panchami 2024

Vasant Panchami holds particular importance in Hinduism. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on this day. This day is celebrated in the Eastern part of India with a lot of pomp and show. On this day, females wear yellow colored clothes to worship Goddess Saraswati. Amongst the six existing seasons, people admire Vasant the most.

Vasant Panchami can be recognized when the flowers bloom at their fullest, and sunflower seeds get spread in the farms when wheat starts to blossom when the mango trees begin to get mango seeds, and there are butterflies all around. Such is the grace of Vasant Panchami. This day is also known as Sri Panchami and embarks the beginning of the season of Vasant. Vasant Panchami is essential for the farmers as it is the best harvesting season. As mentioned earlier, during this phase, the sunflower seeds begin to embellish the farms, trees and flowers are at their happiest, and people fly kites in the sky. In Punjab, they celebrate Vasant Panchami on the fifth day by flying kites and worshipping Goddess Saraswati. In Hinduism, Goddess Saraswati is considered to be the goddess of education. All students worship Her on this day. In the Bhagvat Gita, Lord Krishna has said, “Vasant is one of my forms.” To welcome this festival, Lord Vishnu and Lord Kama are worshipped on the fifth day of the month of Maagh. That is why; this festival is called Vasant Panchami. This festival is also celebrated as the day of Goddess Saraswati’s birth. In Rigveda, Goddess Saraswati is has been described as:

Prano Devi Saraswati VajebhirvarjinvatiDheenamadhitrayavatu.

इस पेज को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए “बसंत पंचमी” पर क्लिक करें।

The meaning is as follows: Goddess, you are the ultimate power. Bless our minds, bless us with progress, and help us develop the right attitude. You are the source of our behavior and intellect. The grace of the Goddess’s progress and form has its scintillating grandeur.

For regular days We at Bajrangi Dhaam always perform a small Pooja ritual and Basant Panchami celebration for selected followers & the overall prosperity of our large client base every year on this day in the morning around 7.30 am.

Importance of Basant Panchami

In this festival, flora and fauna, as well as the wildlife, are full of happiness along with human beings. Although the entire month of Maagh bestows happiness on all, Basant Panchami has its wholesome beauty and importance. Since ancient times, this festival is considered to be the day of Goddess Saraswati’s birth. That is why, on this day, She is worshipped as Maa Sharda as the Goddess of knowledge and intellect. Even all the creative artists such as writers, singers, dancers, actors, and so on worship Goddess Saraswati and offer their greetings to Her. 

Ancient Importance of Basant Panchami

The ancient importance of Basant Panchami is related to Ramayan. When Ravana abducted Maa Sita and took her to Lanka, then Lord Rama went to a lot of places to look for her, one of the places being Dandkadhnya. Here, an elderly woman named Shabari used to live. When Lord Rama went to her hut, she fell in love with him and offered him berries. It is believed that Shabari’s hut still exists in the Dang district of Gujarat. It was the occasion of Vasant Panchami when Lord Rama visited this place. Today, the inmates of this place worship the idol of Lord Rama and believe that Lord Rama visits them and sits with them. This place also has the temple of Mother Shabari. 

Vasant Panchami also reminds all of us of Prithviraj Chauhan. He defeated Mohammad Ghori sixteen times but left him alive every time out of big-heartedness. In the seventeenth time, Mohammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan and took him to Afghanistan to torture him. He removed his Raj’s eyes. Before sentencing Raj to death, Mohammad Ghori wished to witness Raj’s magical skill of “Shabdavedi Baan.” Taking advantage of this situation, Poet Chandabardai gave a hint to Raj. 

ChaarBaansChaubisGaj, AngulAshtPraman.

Ta Upar Sultan, Mat Chuko Chauhan. 

Prithviraj Chauhan didn't miss the sign this time, and she shot directly at Ghori’s chest. After this, Chauhan and Chandbardai killed each other through a knife as a token of self-sacrifice. This incident took place in 1192 on the day of Vasant Panchami. 

Vasant Panchami And Saraswati Puja

Goddess Saraswati is also worshipped on Vasant Panchami. She is the Goddess of knowledge and intellect. According to the Guru-Shishya tradition, parents send their kids to the Gurukul on this day only. This day is auspicious in terms of the formal education of the children. Being the Goddess of knowledge and creativity, She is worshipped on this day. People associated with creativity worship her on the same day. Just as soldiers consider armaments and the day of Vijaydashmi auspicious, creative people think Vasant Panchami is the bright day for them. All the creative artists such as writers, singers, dancers, actors, and so on worship Goddess Saraswati and offer their greetings. 

Why is Basant Panchami Celebrated?

The word “Basant” means Vasant, and “Panchami” means the fifth day. That is why; when the season of Vasant arrives in the month of Maagh, this festival, the grandest among all, is celebrated on the fifth day. Simultaneously, this day is celebrated as the day of Goddess Saraswati’s birth according to the spiritual books. Nature is at its full glow on the onset of Vasant Panchami. Trees shed their old leaves only to pave the way for the new ones. Sunflower seeds begin to flower on the farms. The weather is abundant. Such beauty can be witnessed only on Vasant Panchami. On this day, schools and colleges worship Goddess Saraswati along with the students. We all know that there are six seasons in India, namely, Vasant, Grishma, Varsha, Sharad, Hemant, and Shishir. Amidst all these, Vasant is considered to be the most abundant season as Nature gets shrowded with greenery during this time. Also, wheat and Sunflower are in the center of agriculture. It seems as if the farm of wheat has dressed in green sarees, and the sunflower farms have adorned themselves with gold ornaments. 

According to Hindu Purana, Lord Brahma created the universe and human beings and other living creatures at the request of Lord Vishnu. However, Lord Brahma was not satisfied with this creation and lacked something, due to which there was silence all around. After seeking Lord Vishnu’s permission, Lord Brahma sprinkled water onto the universe, which created vibrations. A euphoric power emerged amidst the trees. This power was that of a four-armed beautiful woman who had the instrument Veena on the one hand and Var Mudra on the other. The other two hands had a book and a garland on the other. Lord Brahma requested her to play Veena, and the moment she played Veena, all the living beings on the Earth got the skill of speech, the speed of water got momentum, the wind got strong. It was then when Lord Brahma gave her the name “Saraswati.” Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge, intellect, and wisdom and the Goddess of Music. Vasant Panchami is the day of knowledge transference. This day is considered auspicious as this day removes ignorance, and children are made to learn the first letter on this day. It is believed that this day is bright for indulging in studies. All schools worship Goddess Saraswati on this day. She loves white flowers, and hence, on the day of Vasant Panchami, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped wearing white clothes, and white flowers are given as offerings to Her. 

Importance of Yellow Color in Basant Panchami

The yellow color of Basant Panchami symbolizes success, progress, and abundance. During Vasant Panchami, flowers are at the fullest; they get their best glow, sunflower seeds seem to get the shine of gold and wheat crops at their abundant phase. Vasant Panchami is considered to be the most admired of all seasons.

Forms of Vasant Panchami in Various Places

On this day, all the devotees tend to bathe in Ganga and other religious rivers on the fifth day and worship Goddess Saraswati. There are many devotees in Haridwar (Uttarakhand) and Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) during this festival. On this day, lakhs and lakhs of devotees worship on the banks of Ganga and Sangam. Apart from this, people from places like Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand visit Himachal Pradesh and dive into sulfur's warm waters. On this day, people wear yellow clothes in India's northern region and eat yellow colored dishes. In the rural parts of Punjab, people fly yellow-colored kites in the yellow sunflower fields. On the one hand, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped through the sounds of Dhaak in the West Bengal region, and other hand, in places like Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), fairs are arranged in Sikh places like Guru-ka-Lahore. It is believed that Guru Gobind Singh was born on Vasant Panchami. 

The Story of Vasant Panchami

Lord Brahma created this universe on the orders of Lord Vishnu, wherein he created humans and flora as well as fauna. However, Lord Brahma was not satisfied with this creation and lacked something, due to which there was silence all around. After seeking Lord Vishnu’s permission, Lord Brahma sprinkled water onto the universe, which created vibrations. A euphoric power emerged amidst the trees. This power was that of a four-armed beautiful woman who had the instrument Veena on the one hand and Var Mudra on the other; the other two hands had a book and a garland on the other. Lord Brahma requested her to play Veena, and the moment she played Veena, all the living beings on the Earth got the skill of speech, the speed of water got momentum, the wind got strong. It was then when Lord Brahma gave her the name “Saraswati.” Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge, intellect, and wisdom and the Goddess of Music. Vasant Panchami is the day of knowledge transference. This day is considered auspicious as this day removes ignorance, and children are made to learn the first letter on this day. It is believed that this day is great for indulging in studies. All schools worship Goddess Saraswati on this day. She loves white flowers, and hence, on the day of Vasant Panchami, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped wearing white clothes, and white flowers are given as offerings to Her.

How to Worship Goddess Saraswati on Vasant Panchami

1. Wear yellow clothes on this day. Start prayers facing the East and north direction. 

2. Keep the idol of Maa Saraswati on a yellow cloth and offer Her Roli, Saffron, Turmeric, rice, yellow flowers, yellow sweets, Curd, Halwa, and so on as Prasad. 

3. Offer white Chandan to Goddess Saraswati and keep yellow/white flowers in her right hand.  

- Saffron milk porridge is the best offering that can be made to Maa Saraswati. 

- Chanting the mantra ॐऐंसरस्वत्यैनमः by holding a turmeric garland is the best way to worship her.

- Do not wear black and blue clothes while the ritual is on. If there are obstacles in studies, the unique offering must be made to Maa Saraswati on this day. 

Saraswati Puja Mantra Number-1: 

YaKundentuTusharhardhawlaYaShubhravastravrita 

YaVeenavardandmanditkaraYaSwetapadmasana 

YaBrahmachyutShankarprabhritibhirdaivaSadaVandita 

Sa Mam Patu Saraswati BhagvatiNisheshjadhyapaha (1)

ShuklamBhrahvichar Saar ParmaamAadhyamJagdwaapinim

Veena PustakDharinimbhayadamJadhyandhkarapham

Haste SphatikmalikaamVidhteemPadhyasaneSanthitaam

VandeTaamParameshwarimBhagwatimBudhipradamshardam (2)

Saraswati Mantra Number-2:

सरस्वतीनमस्तुभ्यंवरदेकामरूपिणी, विद्यारम्भंकरिष्यामिसिद्धिर्भवतुमेंसदा।

According to old belief systems, Devi Rati and Lord Kama are also worshipped, and the ritual is called Shodshopchaar Puja 

Shodshopchaar Puja Mantra: 

ॐविष्णुःविष्णुःविष्णुः, अद्यब्रह्मणोवयसःपरार्धेश्रीश्वेतवाराहकल्पेजम्बूद्वीपेभारतवर्षे,

अमुकनामसंवत्सरेमाघशुक्लपञ्चम्याम्अमुकवासरेअमुकगोत्रःअमुकनामाहंसकलपाप - क्षयपूर्वक - श्रुति -

स्मृत्युक्ताखिल - पुण्यफलोपलब्धयेसौभाग्य - सुस्वास्थ्यलाभायअविहित - काम - रति - प्रवृत्तिरोधायमम

पत्यौ/पत्न्यांआजीवन - नवनवानुरागायरति - कामदम्पतीषोडशोपचारैःपूजयिष्ये।

If couples worship Goddess Rati and Lord Kama on Vasant Panchami and chant Shodshopchar mantra, they will be able to lead a joyful life full of fulfillment and conjugal bliss. 

Devi Rati and Lord Kama’s Chants

ॐवारणेमदनंबाण - पाशांकुशशरासनान्।

धारयन्तंजपारक्तंध्यायेद्रक्त - विभूषणम्।।

सव्येनपतिमाश्लिष्यवामेनोत्पल - धारिणीम्।

पाणिनारमणांकस्थांरतिंसम्यग्विचिन्तयेत्।।

Why is Vasant Panchami Special?

Among many auspicious timings, Vasant Panchami is particular of “Abhujh Timing.” 

- Marriage and other ceremonies can be done during this phase. 

- Knowledge and Science can be attained at their best during the union of these seasons. 

- Blessings can be sought in the field of Music, creativity, and spirituality during this time. 

- Offer prayers to Goddess Saraswati during this time if there are obstacles in the field of studies. 

New Work will attain Success on Vasant Panchami.

New things can be started during Vasant Panchami. House warming ritual can be done during Vasant Panchami. New business deals can be made on Vasant Panchami for the best results. Similarly, all kinds of delayed work can be pursued during this time for optimum outcomes. 

How to get Blessed Intellectually? 

- Saraswati Puja holds utmost importance on this day. 

- On this day, Neel Saraswati Chants should be chanted in front of Goddess Saraswati. 

- Ignorance vanishes on this day.

- Knowledge and wisdom can be attained as blessings on this day.

10 Ways to Strengthen the positioning of Planets on Vasant Basanti 

1. If Buddha is weak, wisdom starts fading. 

2. To come out of such a situation, worship Maa Saraswati.

3. Offer green colored fruits to Maa Saraswati. 

4. If Brahaspat is weak, it gets challenging to attain knowledge

5. Wear yellow clothes on Vasant Panchami to come from such a situation.

6. Use yellow fruits and flowers while worshipping on Vasant Panchami.

7. If Shukra is weak, restlessness prevails.

8. It gets challenging to choose a career (See the link below to read more about this).

9. Worship Maa Sarawati in such a situation.

10. Use the white flowers to worship Maa Saraswati.

You can read my views of astrology for Success in business and right career.

You can read similar write-up on relevance of astrology in indian festivals for all other major Indian Festivals.