Vasant Panchami
Celebration of Upcoming Spring

“Vasant Panchami” marks the beginning of preparations, for the upcoming spring season. It is also known as “Basant Panchami” in common tongue. This festival is celebrated all over the in Indian Sub-Continent.

The festival of “Vasant Panchami” is celebrated on the Panchami (fifth day) of the Lunar month of Magha. Since, the festival celebrates upcoming Spring Season (“Vasant”), hence the name “Vasant Panchami”. It falls in January-February as per the modern calendar.

Vasant Panchami is celebrated in various ways depending upon difference in the cultural believes. It is also known as “Saraswati Puja” in the honor of Goddess Saraswati.

Why is Vasant Panchami Celebrated?

“Vasant Panchami” also know as “Saraswati Puja” is celebrated in the honor of Goddess Saraswati. It is believed that Goddess Saraswati, hindu deity for learning, knowledge, art and music was born on this day. It is also considered to be a very auspicious day to enter into new ventures.

Spring (Vasant) holds and important place and is considered the “King of all Seasons”. It is the time when mustard crop blooms yellow flowers. The color yellow symbolizes knowledge, light, prosperity, energy and peace. Therefore, it is considered auspicious time to begin new ventures like getting married, buying a new house, starting a new job/business etc.

Religious Significance of Vasant Panchami

According to the Hindu Scriptures, Vasant Panchami is an important day in the stories of various deities namely –

Goddess Saraswati – Goddess of Knowledge
Surya Dev – The Sun God
Kama Dev – The God of love and desire.

The Story of Goddess Saraswati

According to the legend, Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, Learning, Music and Art was born of this day. Therefore, this day is celebrated as “Saraswati Puja” and people worship her to achieve her wisdom and art.

There is an interesting story behind the reason for why Vasant Panchami is celebrated.

According to the story, Lord Brahma after creating the universe was very happy with his creation. As a result, he wanted to see the whole world with his own eyes. So, he set out on a journey. But when he saw his creation in complete silence, he was disappointed. Everyone in the world seemed lonely. So, Lord Brahma gave it a thought and came up with an idea.

He took some water from his kamandal and sprinkled it in air. As a result, an angel appeared from a tree holding a harp (Veena) in her hand. Lord Brahma asked her to play something, so that everything would become vibrant. Then, the the angel started playing some music and blessed the people with voice. She also filled this planet with music.

After that, the angel came to be known as Goddess Saraswati, Goddess of speech and knowledge. She is also known as Veena Vadini, due to harp she always played. It is believed that Goddess Saraswati provided voice, intelligence, force and glory.

The Story of Surya Dev - The Sun God

The establishment of the deo-sun temple is also celebrated many on Vasant Panchami. Deo-Sun Temple is a Shrine located in the state of Bihar. It is dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God).

Surya brings an end to the winter and provide the necessary sunlight for trees to grow and blossom. Surya’s warmth invigorates and energizes people out of reclusion, inspiring them to make fruitful plans and take on new challenges. Surya Dev is also considered a symbol of wisdom and spiritual light.

People of Bihar honor Surya Dev by glorifying him through songs and dance, as well as cleaning the statue at the deo-sun temple.

The Story of Kama Dev - The God of Love & Desire

Another narrative connected to Vasant Panchami involves a time the God of Love, Kamadev, tried to wake Lord Shiva from his meditation.

This story has been detailed in the Shiva Purana and Matsya Purana. According to which, Aadishakti was reincarnated as Parvati in human form, after the death of Sati (first wife of Lord Shiva). Parvati was deeply devoted to Shiva and wanted him as her husband. Shiva however, was in a state of deep meditation and despite trying everything Parvati, couldn’t get his attention.

Kamadeva was eventually asked to break Shiva out of his meditation and incite in him desire for Parvati. Agreeing to help, Kamadev created a congenial spring time atmosphere, and fired five desire inducing arrows at Shiva. Furious to have his meditation disturbed, Shiva opened his third eye and immediately burned Kamadev to ashes.

After learning of this incident, Kamadev’s wife Rati approached Shiva. She asked for Shiva’s forgiveness and begged him to bring her husband back to life. Feeling compassion, Shiva resurrected Kamadev under the condition that only Rati would be able to see him in his physical form. But to everyone else he would be a disembodied spirit of love and desire.

Hence, Vasant Panchami is remembered as the time, when Kamadev stimulates the passion of both the Earth and its people, as the lands come alive with new blossoms.

How is Vasant Panchami Celebrated?

Vasant Panchami is celebrated in various ways depending on the devotee’s focus of worship.

Many honor the Goddess Saraswati by waking up early and dressing in yellow colored clothes. The color yellow is believed to be her favorite color. Yellow sweets and snacks are prepared and are offered as prasad to Devi Saraswati. Students also pray to the deity as she is considered the Goddess of learning and wisdom.

Vasant PanchamiCelebration of Upcoming Spring