Basant Panchmi marks the arrival of spring season replete with sparkle, joy, and smile. Basant Panchmi is celebrated on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magha, Shukla Paksha.
On Basant Panchami, devotees perform the Saraswati pooja. Ma Saraswati is the goddess of learning, knowledge, art, and music. It is believed Goddess Saraswati shows the path of enlightenment and removes ignorance. It also symbolizes power and creative energy.
Basant Panchmi is considered the most propitious day to start the child’s education.
In some parts of India, students keep their books, textbooks, pens in front of Goddess Saraswati to seek her blessings.
This day is dedicated to artists, musicians, dancers, thinkers, academicians, etc. They pray to Goddess Saraswati and celebrate the day with great pomp and show.
Yellow color is considered to be the most auspicious shade to celebrate the occasion. On Basant Panchmi people like to wear the yellow outfit to express the feelings of exuberance for blooming mustard fields covered with bright yellow flowers. People also eat yellow food like Kesari sweet rice, Kesari Sheera, Boondi laddoo, etc.
Basant Panchmi is celebrated across the nation in different styles and rituals depending on the region. In 2022, the occasion of Basant Panchami will be celebrated on 5 February across various parts of India with great fervor, and enthusiasm.
The festivities of Basant Panchmi also mark the starting of Holi preparation which is celebrated after forty days of the Basant Panchmi.