Basant Panchami 2024: Rituals And Importance Of Wearing Yellow Colour

Basant Panchami 2024: The auspicious day is celebrated on the first day of spring, which is the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magha.

Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami or Shri Panchami, is one of the most vibrant festivals in India. The auspicious day is celebrated on the first day of spring, which is the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magha. This year, the festival will be celebrated on Wednesday (February 14). Central to the observance of Basant Panchami is the worship of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, arts and wisdom. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Saraswati as per the tradition on this day leads you towards a bright future. With her grace, you are blessed with progress and knowledge in your life.

The Basant Panchami celebrations hold religious significance for the Hindu community. On this day, people prepare traditional food items to mark the celebration. The delicacies that are common in most parts of the country include kheer, kesar pista, Kanchipuram, idli and sweet rice. Several parts of the country also observe the day by flying kites, which indicates the arrival of spring and the beginning of the joyful and playful season. 

On Basant Panchami, Devi Saraswati, the goddess of learning and arts, is also worshipped. People who perform a Saraswati Puja at home usually wake up early on this particular day, have a shower and wear sarees or other clothes in shades of yellow or white. Students often fast for a few hours till the pushpanjali or offerings to Goddess Saraswati. Homes are decorated with bright marigold flowers and alpana (rangoli) is done with a paste of rice flour and water. After puja and offerings, the sweets and fruits are distributed among family members and friends in the neighbourhood.