05th Feb, 2022
In the Hindi language, ‘basant’ means spring and ‘panchami’ means the fifth day.
According to the Hindu calendar, Basant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the month of Maagh.
According to legend, Lord Brahma was very happy with the creation of the whole world & he wanted to see the whole world with his own eyes.
Therefore, he set out on a journey. However, when he saw the world, he was disappointed with the complete silence.
Everyone on planet Earth appeared very lonely.
Then, Lord Brahma had an idea. He took some water in his Kamandal and sprinkled it in air.
An angel appeared who had a harp in her hand.
Lord Brahma requested her to play something so that everything on Earth was filled with melodious sound and music.
As a result, the angel started playing some music.
The angel blessed the people of the Earth with voice.
She also filled this planet with music.
Since then, that angel came to be known as Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of speech and knowledge.
She is also known as Veena Vadini (harp player).
It is believed that Goddess Saraswati provided voice, knowledge, intelligence, force and glory.
The day of Basant Panchami is considered as the beginning of life.
This day is the day of arrival of happiness.
The season of spring is the season of bloom, rebirth and renewal.
In this season, fields of yellow mustard charm everyone’s heart & Colorful flowers start blooming.
The day of Basant Panchami is celebrated as the welcoming of colors and happiness.
Historically, Maharaja Ranjit Singh held an annual Basant fair and introduced kite flying as a regular feature of the fairs held during the 19th century which included holding fairs at Sufi shrines. Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his queen Moran, would dress in yellow and fly kites on Basant.
Another popular story associated with the festival is that of the legendary poet Kalidasa. According to the story, Kalidasa was a simpleton and was tricked into marrying a princess who didn’t respect him. A crestfallen Kalidasa wanted to end his life but just before he could commit suicide, Goddess Saraswati appeared before him and asked him to take a dive in the river.
Kalidasa did as he was told, and emerged from the water an intelligent, knowledgeable and cultured person, who would eventually become a renowned poet.
That is why on this day, the Goddess is worshipped so that she may bestow the gift of knowledge to her devotees.
Traditionally, this is also considered the best day to get married. Every year, thousands of people get married on the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami.
As the season changes during this period, we experience rapid changes in our health.
Thus, worshipping Lord Dhanvantari on this day leads to good health. This is also regarded as an auspicious day for buying new things and making investments.
According to astrology, this is also a good day for starting new activities.
Basant is also the appropriate time to revive our bonding with nature.
Let’s celebrate the advent of spring, Let’s celebrate Basant Panchami and stay blessed forever.