Five Things to Know About Vasant Panchami
1) Spring is Coming
Vasant Panchami highlights the coming of spring.
It is a celebration that falls on the fifth day of the Hindu lunar month of Magha (January–February in the Western calendar), signifying the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Vasant means "spring" and panchami means "fifth."
Spring, which is referred to as the "king of all seasons" in India, not only provides a welcome break from the bitter cold of winter, but it is also the season when the mustard crop blooms with yellow flowers, which stand for wisdom, light, energy, prosperity, and peace. Thus, it is regarded as fortunate to start new endeavours like getting married, purchasing a home, or starting a new job.
2) Goddess Saraswati is Worshipped
Vasant Panchami is also observed as Goddess Saraswati's birthday (the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, and art).
On this day, followers honour and invoke the Goddess, Saraswati. Her blessings are sought for a better existence where prayers are made for an abundance of education and wisdom.
3) Commemorates the God of Love
On this day the young and handsome God of Love Kama (also known as Madan) and his beautiful wife Rati descended on Earth bringing with them the hope of love and romance along with the first fragrant fresh breeze of spring, the season or rebirth and renewal. Therefore, Kama, his wife Rati, and his companion Vasant are honoured on Vasant Panchami, which is also known as Shringara Rasam, the mood of love and serenading (the personification of spring).
4) Honouring Surya
On Vasant Panchami, many people also commemorate the founding of the Deo-Sun Temple, a Surya shrine in the Indian state of Bihar.
Bringing an end to winter and bringing the sunlight required for trees to develop new leaves and flowers to bloom, Surya is a sign of wisdom and spiritual light. People emerge from seclusion after months of isolation thanks to Surya's warmth, which energizes them to form successful plans and take on new challenges and endeavours.
Therefore, people in the state of Bihar revere Surya by performing dances and songs in his honour and by washing the statues at the Deo-Sun Temple.
5) How to Celeberate Vasant Panchami
Depending on the devotee’s focus of worship, Vasant Panchami is celebrated in various ways.
For many, Goddess Saraswati is their focus of worship by rising early, dressing in yellow (which is believed to be her favourite colour), preparing, eating and sharing yellow snacks, and performing puja.
Many honor the Goddess Saraswati by waking up early and dressing in yellow (believed to be her favorite color), eating and sharing yellow sweets and snacks, and performing puja to her deity.
Students who aspire to succeed in their studies often pray to Goddess Saraswati because she is the Goddess of knowledge and wisdom.
Others pay homage to Lord Shiva and Parvati by giving the couple wheat ears and mango flowers, while others, as was already mentioned, honor Surya.
Of course, as worship is not restricted to any particular deity, one can honour all the Gods connected to Vasant Panchami.
HAPPY VASANT PANCHAMI
May Goddess Saraswati bestow upon you an endless sea of knowledge. Happy Vasant Panchami from everyone at India Sajawat & Puja Hut.
