According to the Hindu calendar, Basant Panchami is celebrated on the Panchami (fifth date) of Magh Masa, Shukla Paksha. In 2024, Basant Panchami will be celebrated on 14th February. People worship Lord to thank him for sending the spring season which gives relief from the chilling cold weather. Basant Panchami significance can be seen through new zeal of life can be seen coming in various animal, birds, tree and plants. Colorful flowers decorate this earth beautifully.
On the day of Panchami, in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, a grand fair is organised in the temple of Sage Durvasa. On this day, all the temples of this place are beautifully decorated. The Gods and Goddesses of temples are dressed magnificently. Yellow coloured flowers are used the most in decoration works. Radha-Krishna, decorated with the colors of Basant, looks marvelous. Huge crowd of devotees gather here on this day.
Cultural programs are organised at different places. In this, guys perform Bhangra and girls do the Gidda etc. Basant Panchami is the symbol of change in season. It is a day of beginning of charm in the greenery of nature. It is an integral part of India’s culture.
Basant Panchami Katha
The offerings made to God and Goddesses of temples are of yellow colours. Songs of Vasant are sung and enjoyed. Everywhere in the nature, yellow color can be seen swinging. Holi is also started from the day of Basant Panchami. Holi is a traditional festival of Brij. Whose influence can be seen from the day of Basant Panchami.
As per the ancient scriptures, Lord Brahma created the universe on suggestion of Lord Vishnu. Once, Lord Brahma came down on earth to see his creation. He felt something lacking in his universe. But, he was unable to make out that deficiency. He saw, birds,animals, human beings, tree and everything very quiet. Then he realized about the thing that is lacking. He started thinking, what should be done that all of them starts singing and talking. In the meanwhile, he took water from his Kamandal(small pot) and sprinkled on earth and lotus flower. Immediately a Goddess wearing white clothes appeared. She had four hands. She had harp in one hand, lotus in the second hand, garland in the third and book in the fourth hand.
Lord Brahma then blessed her with a boon that she will reside in everybody’s throat. Then he asked her to fill consciousness in everyone. He said, “the person who will have your residency in himself will be known for his virtues in the society. You will be known by the name of Goddess Bhagwati. World will get its welfare done by you, so people living on earth will worship you.”. Hence, from time immemorial Goddess Saraswati is being worshipped on Basant Panchami. This day is considered as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati.
On the day of Basant Panchmi, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped in schools. In the eastern region of India, idol of Goddess Saraswati is placed in homes and is worshipped on the day of Basant Panchami. On the next day of Puja, the idol is immersed in water.