Vasant Panchami: Why Do We Celebrate The Arrival of Spring?

As the chill of winter begins to ease and flowers start to bloom, it marks the arrival of the pleasant season of Spring, or Vasant (Basant).

According to the Hindu calendar, this transition usually arrives in late January to February or during the Magh month. The fifth day of the Shukla Paksh ( bright lunar fortnight) is the day to celebrate this new beginning as Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja.

Why is Vasant Panchami celebrated ?

Hindu festivals have always been associated with nature, changing weather or movements of Sun and Moon. Vasant Panchami is no different. Spring, or Vasant, is celebrated as a season of renewal, growth, and new beginnings. Nature is at its best, with blooming yellow flowers, warm sunlight, and a fresh atmosphere.

Goddess Saraswati, the deity associated with knowledge, wisdom, music, creativity is worshipped too on this day, as knowledge also gives new beginnings to humans enabling them to grow in life.

Saraswati puja and celebrations

The eastern states of India mainly, West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Bihar celebrate Saraswati Puja with great fervour. Idols of the Goddess are brought at home and worshipped with proper rituals mainly by students and people associated with various kinds of arts.

Yellow is the colour of Vasant Panchami. From clothes to flowers used for decorations and puja, it brings brightness and positivity everywhere. Kids who are supposed to begin their formal education write their first letters on this auspicious day.

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Artists worship their instruments. Students put their books in front of the idols for the day and as per the customs don't study for the rest of the day - a tradition they could never complain about.

People spend the day visiting pandals, flying kites and having get-togethers and sharing meals. The day offers a perfect break after the cold winter days and a chance to enjoy the nature.

Vasant Panchami encourages us to welcome learning and growth in every phase of our lives and reminds us that just like the nature which endures the harsh winters and welcomes spring, humans too, after their struggles, can bloom with the help of knowledge and wisdom.

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