With the vaccination drive in India going in full swing, people are looking forward to revel in festivities this year. Basant Panchami is celebrated on February 16. The day marks the birthday celebrations of Goddess Saraswati in educational institutions, club grounds, homes and temples. Also Read: Daily Horoscope, February 16, 2021: Capricorn Folks Should Be Careful While Travelling, Know About Other Sun Signs
What’s the significance of Basant Panchami?
In Sanskrit Vasanta means spring, so ‘panchami’ is the fifth day of Shukla Paksha, and the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Magh, (January – February). The day typically marks the end of the winter and beginning of spring, and dedicated to goddess Saraswati. Saraswati Puja is performed on the 5th day of Hindi month of Magh and falls between the period between the end of January and middle of February.
Goddess Saraswati, is known as Goddess of ‘Vidya’ or Knowledge, Wisdom, Learning, Art and Music, is normally draped in a yellow or white spotless sari and seated on an inverted white lotus or riding a swan. Goddess Saraswati carries a lotus and scriptures in two of her hands while plays music on her veena (a musical instrument), and a pot of water in her other two hands. The inverted lotus symbolises ‘a search for knowledge’, the white swan, a symbol of spiritual perfection is the vehicle of the goddess, and the Veena represents harmony and signifies perfection in arts and music. A peacock is also placed on the right side of Saraswati symbolising equilibrium between reason and emotion.
It’s interesting to note that in the eastern state in West Bengal, the day when devotees pray to Goddess Sarawasti, people also celebrate love, and hence it is also known as Valentine’s Day of the Bengalis.
On this day, poetic and musical gatherings are held on several platforms. It is on this day that young kids are taught to write their alphabets for the first time. People also dress up in yellow to take part in the celebrations. Besides Saraswati Puja, it is also the time for farmers to celebrate as the agricultural fields are full of yellow flowers of the mustard crop. The day is also considered as auspicious to venture into something new, get married, or perform griha Pravesh (house warming ceremony).
What are the timings?
The muhurat for Basant Panchami will start at 6:59 am and ends at 12:36 pm, as per drikpanchang.com. The Panchami tithi will start at 3:36 am on February 16, and end at 5:46 am on February 17.
Basant Panchami Madhyahna Moment will begin at 12:36 pm.
What are puja rituals?
Devotees perform puja during the Panchami tithi. Also, it can be performed during Purvahna Kala that falls between sunrise and midday.
For the puja, you spread a yellow/red cloth on the wooden platform and place the photo or idol of goddess Saraswati on it. On this day books or children’s school books are placed at goddess Saraswati’s feet and nobody studies. Then a lamp using ghee/mustard oil or sesame oil and a few incense sticks are lighted. The puja is performed inviting Maa Saraswati to accept your offerings and devotion.
Some of the items in Basant Panchami puja include mango leaves, incense sticks, akshata or rice, ashwagandha or scented orange powder, Chandan, lamps, ghee, jaggery, haldi, Ganga water and fruits. The offerings to the goddess are mainly fruits and most significant are Berries from the wild plum tree.
Check messages to share
Happy Basant Panchami 2021, Basant Panchami 2021 wishes, Basant Panchami 2021May you be bestowed with
knowledge and wisdom
Have a Blessed Vasant Panchami!
May the occasion of Vasant Panchami,
Bring the wealth of knowledge to you,
May U be blessed by Goddess Saraswati & all your wishes come true
"With fragrant flowers and fluttering butterflies around, soft breeze whispers in your ear - Happy Basant Panchami!"
"May Goddess Saraswati bless you with the ocean of knowledge which never ends."
Here’s the mantra to be recited while performing puja:
Ya Kundendutusharhardhavala ya Shubhravastravrita ya Veenavaradandamanditkara ya Shwetapadmasana.
Ya brahmachyut sankaraprabhritibhirdevai: Sada vandita sa maa patu saraswati bhagwati nissheshjadyapaha
Shukla Brahmavichar Saar Paramamadya Jagadvyapini Veena-Pustak-Dharinimabhayada Jadyandhakarapaham.
Haste sfatikamalika viddhati padmasane sansthitamtra vande ta parmeshwarin bhagvati buddhiprada shardamtra