By Sanjay Parekh
NHSF Learning Team
20th January 2010 (5 Magh in the Hindu calendar)
Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Magh in the Hindu calendar. Vasant means Spring, and the festival welcomes the new season. 'Vasant' is the particular time period from the sun entering the Meen rashi (Pisces) until the begining of Vrushabh (Taurus).
Vasant Panchami is a very significant festival in the Hindu calendar. It is dedicated to the goddess of knowledge, music and art, Saraswati (Diwali is dedicated to Lakshmi and Navratri is dedicated to Durga and Kali). The day is also known as Saraswati day and Mandirs in India (and worldwide) celebrate this day with much ceremony.
Festival Celebrations/Rituals
During Vasant Panchami, children are taught their first words, signifying an auspicious beginning to learning. Schools lead in organising special worship of Saraswati, and offer special prayers. People also feed Brahmins and worship ancestors (Pitri-Tarpan). The god of love, Kamdev is also worshipped on this day. The colour, yellow is very significant on this day. Mandirs adorn Saraswati murtis in yellow dress and worship is conducted (Puja and Havan). Men and women also try to observe wearing yellow garments and sweetmeats yellow in colour are exchanged.
Symbolism
Signs of the forthcoming festival and celebrations of Holi manifest at Vasant Panchami. Seasons undergo change and Spring is heralded. Trees grow new shoots and new life is evident in the woods and fields. Mango trees start to blossom, and wheat and other crops show signs of new life.
Vasant Panchami is a festival full of religious, seasonal and social significance and is celebrated by Hindus all over the world with great enthusiasm and new sense of optimism.
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