Vasant Panchami

As one of the major Hindu festivals, Vasant Panchami is regarded as a preparation for the coming of the spring season. On the same day, devotees are worshipping goddess Saraswati. Every Vasant Panchami is held on the fifth day in the month of Magh every year. Vasant Utsav will be celebrated on forty days before the spring season because it will be turned to full bloom in forty days after Vasant Panchami day. According to Hindu mythology, there is a story behind the celebration of Vasant Panchami. The first one describes that Vasant Panchami is celebrating as the birthday to goddess Saraswati and another story is about the famous poet Kalidasa. Kalidasa was a foolish person and his marriage was also wrong to him. His wife didn't respect him and she tried to avoid him. At last, he decided to end his life. Before he could commit suicide, goddess Saraswati came in front of him and asked him to take a bath in the river. Kalidas obeyed the goddess Saraswati and after he emerged from the river as an intelligent and cultured person who became a well-renowned poet. As the symbol of that, devotees are worshipping goddess Saraswati that she may grant the gift of knowledge to her devotees. Hindu devotees are uniquely experiencing Vasant Panchami depending on the region. In Southern states, this festival is celebrated as Sri Panchami. In eastern parts of India, Vasant Panchami is considered as Saraswati puja. This day is auspicious to start learning by writing first words with the fingers and also studying music or any other art forms. Some schools or other educational institutions organise special homas and yajnas. On that day, goddess Saraswati is adorned by wearing yellow dresses and decorated garlands by using yellow or white flowers. Hindu devotees are worshipping the god of love called the Kama, Sun god, with goddess Saraswati. Vasant Panchami rituals start by devotees are waking up in the early morning and after taking bath wearing yellow dresses and other accessories. They are worshipping God Sun. Believers share yellow sweets and foods. This yellow colour symbolises yellow as the favourite colour of the goddess Saraswati and it refers to peace, light and prosperity. Many children fly colourful kites that indicate freedom and enjoyment. Vasant Panchami is also an auspicious day for marriage and house warming too.