Basant Panchami, also known as Saraswati Puja, is a significant festival observed in the month of Magha, and it holds immense cultural and religious importance. This day marks the birth of Goddess Saraswati, the revered deity of knowledge, music, art, science, and craftsmanship. Known for her unique form, Goddess Saraswati is depicted holding a book, a veena, and a garland while sitting on a white lotus. She is worshipped on this day by devotees who seek her blessings for wisdom, creativity, and learning.
The festival of Basant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) in the Magha month of the Hindu calendar. For the year 2025, there has been some confusion regarding the exact date for Saraswati Puja. According to the Drik Panchang, the festival of Basant Panchami will commence on February 2, 2025, at 9:14 AM and conclude on February 3, 2025, at 6:52 AM. Hence, the celebration will take place on February 2, 2025.
The most auspicious time for performing Saraswati Puja in 2025 will be from 7:09 AM to 12:35 PM, offering a window of 5 hours and 26 minutes for devotees to perform the rituals with devotion and reverence.
Saraswati Puja is a day dedicated to honoring Goddess Saraswati and is traditionally observed with specific rituals to seek her blessings.
Here are the key practices to follow:
Setting Up the Altar: Install the idol or picture of Goddess Saraswati on a clean yellow cloth, as yellow is her favorite color.
Yellow Offerings: On this day, it is customary to offer yellow-colored flowers, turmeric, yellow rice, yellow sweets, and yellow fruits to the goddess. These offerings symbolize purity, knowledge, and prosperity.
Dress Code: Devotees are encouraged to wear yellow clothes on Basant Panchami to align with the goddess’s color preference.
Worshiping Knowledge: The day is not only about worshiping Goddess Saraswati but also about honoring the tools of knowledge and creativity. It is common to offer prayers to books, musical instruments (especially the veena), pens, and educational materials.
Holy Rituals and Bathing: Taking a dip in holy rivers on this day is considered highly auspicious. Devotees believe that bathing in sacred waters will purify the mind and soul and bring blessings from the goddess.
Saffron Rice Offering: Another ritual involves offering yellow rice with saffron to Goddess Saraswati, symbolizing prosperity, learning, and enlightenment.
Yellow is associated with the qualities of wisdom, knowledge, and energy, which is why it holds special significance during Saraswati Puja. The color yellow is also believed to bring positivity and auspiciousness, making it a key element of the celebrations.
Basant Panchami is not just a day to honor Goddess Saraswati; it also marks the onset of spring, a season of new beginnings. The vibrant yellow flowers and the blooming of mustard fields symbolize the arrival of this season.
Akshay Kumar is known as the king of Bollywood remakes from South Indian films! But…
If you’re fed up with the harsh world and ready to escape the city's chaos,…
Winter’s here, and it’s time to bring out those cozy blankets, hot drinks, and good…
Winter is here, and it’s officially that time to swap the smoothies for soups and…
Having affairs between Bollywood stars is not a new thing. There are many couples who…
If you think you are tough enough to handle horror, these films will test your…
