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Vasant Panchami: Amazing Facts and Stories about This Festival

Vasanta Panchami is a major festival in India to worship Goddess Saraswati.

By AstroVedPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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Vasant Panchami/ Basant Panchami marks the seasonal transition from winter to spring. Following Makara Sankranti (January 14-15), the sun begins its northward journey in the sky. The weather, which had been cold and chilly until then, becomes warm and pleasant, announcing the arrival of spring. Spring would be in full bloom at the time of Holi. Vasanta Panchami is on the 5th day of the bright lunar fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Magha (January-February). 

Association with 3 Goddesses

Vasanta Panchami is a major festival in India. In the old days, it was the festival of the Saraswati river. In some areas, this festival is called Saraswati Pooja, a day to worship Goddess Saraswati. Hindus perform Saraswati Pooja in their houses. In south India, people celebrate it as Sri Panchami (Sri is one of the names of Goddess Lakshmi). 

In ancient days, Vasanta Panchami marked the beginning of Vasant Utsav, a month-long festival, that ends in another festival – Holi. Vasant Panchami usually comes in February, and this month is auspicious for marriage ceremonies. Legends say that many deities, including Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, got married in February.

Vasant Panchami also happens to be the day when Kama Deva disturbed Lord Shiva’s penance on Goddess Parvati’s behest. Thus, this festival is associated with all the three major goddesses in Hinduism. It celebrates knowledge, prosperity, and creative energy.

In 2022, Vasant Panchami is on February 5, Saturday.

Saraswati River 

The Saraswati river used to flow in northwest India long ago but dried up in due course of time. In those days, once spring arrived, the Himalayan glaciers would melt. This would increase the flow of water in the Saraswati river. The mustard plants that grew in profusion on the banks of the river would be in full bloom at this time. The yellow-colored mustard flowers could be seen along the banks of the river for many miles. It was a breath-taking sight. Interestingly, yellow represents knowledge in Indian traditions and is the color of spring.

Celebrating Knowledge

In the old times, the rishis lived in ashrams on the banks of the river Saraswati. Sage Veda Vyasa, too, lived here. It was on the banks of this holy river that the Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and Upanishads were composed and compiled. Thus, the river was associated with Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, creativity, and wisdom.  

On this day, the Goddess is draped in yellow garments. This emphasized her connection with the festival and the river. People also wear yellow clothes and eat and share yellow-colored foods on this day. On Vasant Panchami, parents initiate their children into education. Saraswati Pooja or Vasant Panchami Pooja is performed on this day.

The Legend of Vasant Panchami

Once, Lord Shiva was immersed in deep penance. The demon, Tarakasura, had received a boon that only Shiva’s son could slay him. He began creating mayhem in all three worlds. He knew that Shiva had become an ascetic after his wife Sati’s death, and he was not likely to marry again. Meanwhile, Sati was reborn as Parvati. 

Parvati wanted to marry Shiva and undertook a severe penance for this purpose. But it had no effect on Shiva. Parvati then asked Kama Deva (the god of love) to disturb Shiva’s meditation. On Vasant Panchami day, Kama Deva approached Shiva. He created the illusion of spring in Kailash to attract Shiva. Then he aimed two flower-tipped arrows at him to disturb him.  

Shiva awoke, but he was furious and burnt Kama Deva to ashes by opening his third eye. But after Kama Deva’s wife, Rati, implored him to restore his life, Shiva brought him back to life. He then married Parvati. The son born to them, Lord Kartikeya, eventually killed Tarakasura. 

Variety in Celebrations 

People celebrate Vasant Panchami in different ways in different regions of India. 

In Punjab, there is a Kite flying festival on this day. People wear yellow clothes and eat yellow rice. Sikh males wear yellow turbans. In Maharashtra, married couples go to temples wearing yellow clothes on the first Vasant Panchami after their marriage. In Rajasthan, people wear garlands of jasmine on this day. In Bihar, it was on Vasant Panchami that the ancient statue of the Deo Sun deity was installed. The statue of the Sun god is washed and decorated, and there are celebrations throughout the day. 

Sufi Muslims

Vasant Panchami has great significance for Sufi Muslims, too. According to some Sufi traditions, the famous Sufi poet Amir Khusrau (13th century CE) of Delhi noticed Hindu women carrying yellow flowers on this day. He introduced the practice among the Sufis. Sufi Muslims of the Chishti order still practice this. This is also the day that some Sufi Muslims mark the grave of Nizamuddin Aulia (a Sufi saint) in Delhi.

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About the Creator

AstroVed

AstroVed is a #1 online astrology and remedies portal whose focus is to merge the technologies of the ancient traditions with our modern science. https://www.astroved.com/

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