Basant Panchami is a Hindu festival that marks the onset of spring. Basant means spring while Panchami means the fifth day on which the festival falls. Known by different names such as Shri Panchami, Saraswati Panchami, Vasant Panchmi etc, festival occurs on the fifth day of Magha. ALSO READ | Kumbha Sankranti 2021: Date, Time, Significance & All You Need To Know About The Festival
The auspicious day is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. According to the Hindu mythology, the deity of knowledge, music, arts, science and wisdom Goddess Saraswati was born on this auspicious day. The day is also sifnificant as the Hindu mythology claims that the universe was created by the great lord Brahma on his this very day.
The festival has a symbolic representation of 'Yellow color' which depicts prosperity, light, positive energy and budding flowers after cold breezes of winter slowly go away. People wear yellow clothes on this day and make yellow food items to please the goddess. Students, scholars, and poets chant mantras and make an offering to the goddess so that she can bless them with wisdom.
The celebrations varies across states. In Punjab, where people celebrate the Basant Festival of Kites; in Bihar, it marks the birthday of the Deo, sun-god and is celebrated as a harvest festival. While in Jharkhand and West Bengal, small pandals are erected across the colonies and bhog is distributed.
Basant Panchami Puja Timings:
The auspucious time to worship Goddess Saraswati on February 16 starts from 06:59 am to 12:35 pm. The devotees will get a total of 05 hours 37 minutes for worship. You are advised to wear white or yello clothes during the puja on this day after taking bath.