Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja 2021: Every festival has a story, a legend, a belief that types the essence of our cultural identity. Basant Panchami is one such festival that is celebrated across India in myriad hues and rituals. The day marks the arrival of the Spring season (identified as Basant or Vasant ritu in Hindi language). The festival is also linked with a wonderful story that tells us about the birth of Goddess Saraswati according to the Hindu mythology.
When is Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja?
Date of Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja: According to the Hindu calendar also identified as ‘panchang’, the festival of Basant Panchami or Saraswati Puja is celebrated on the fifth day of the month of ‘Maagh’. So in uncomplicated terms, the fifth day of the spring season is celebrated as Basant Panchami. This year, the Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja will be celebrated today i.e. February 16.
Why we celebrate Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja?
Significance of Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja: Known as the king of all seasons, the festival of Basant Panchami celebrate the Spring in all its glory and colours. According to the Hindu mythology, it was on the day of Basant Panchmi that Goddess Saraswati appeared from the ‘kamandal’ of Lord Brahma. It is mentioned that as the creator of the planet, Lord Brahma felt that his creation lacked the zest and rhythm of life. There was no happiness and positive power. He consulted Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. It was in that moment the Goddess Sarawati appeared or was born from Lord Brahma’s ‘kamandal’, the religious legend says. Dressed in all white, Goddess Saraswati infused the positive power, the understanding in the planet. Hence, in numerous components of India, particularly Bihar and West Bengal celebrate the festival of Basant Panchami with praying to Goddess Saraswati. From lots of schools to other educational institutions, Saraswati Puja is held on this day. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year, the festivities are really subdued and restricted to households. Smaller neighborhood-level celebrations are noticed across India.
What’s the muhurat of Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja?
While there are strict timings for every puja in the Hindu tradition, Basant Panchmi is one such festival, exactly where puja/prayers can be held all through the day. Known as ‘siddha muhurat’, Basant Panchami is the day when any sort of ritual – wedding, mundan, housewarming (griha pravesh), engagement – can be carried out with no considering about any particular muhurat.
Basant Panchami Tithi starts: 3:36 am on February 16
Basant Panchami Tithi ends: 5:45 am on February 17
Special Puja muhurat: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on February 16
Mantra of Saraswati Puja
Ya Kundendu-Tushara-Hara-Dhavala,
Ya Shubhra-Vastravrita,
Ya Vina-Vara-Danda-Mandita-Kara,
Ya Shveta-Padmasana॥
Ya Brahmachyuta-Shankara-Prabhritibhir
Devaih Sada Vandita,
Sa Mam Patu Saraswati Bhagawati
Nihshesha-Jadyapaha॥
Goddess Saraswati in preferred culture
Dressed in pristine white saree, holding veena, the quintessential image of the Goddess Saraswati was popularised by legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma. The iconic painting of the Goddess of wisdom was painted in the year 1896. Since then, that image has been element of the preferred culture.
Colour of Basant Panchami/ Saraswati Puja
Yellow. The colour of Basant Panchami is undoubtedly yellow. From yellow flowers to yellow mithais, devotees dressed in yellow attires use this through pujas and other festivities.