Vasant Panchami, also known as Shri Panchami, Basant Panchami, and Saraswati Panchami, is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati – the Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science, and technology. The festival marks the beginning of the spring season and is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Magha, which falls in late January or February. Vasant means ‘spring’ and Panchami means ‘the fifth day’. It is among the two spring festivals of Hindus – the other being Holi. Vasant Panchami is celebrated by Hindus in India and Nepal. In 2019, Vasant Panchami falls on February 9.
Vasant Panchami celebrates the spring and harvest after the cold and dreary winter months. People choose this day to introduce kids to reading and writing. Kids are made to write their first letters in front of the Goddess Saraswati idol. The ritual is known as Akshar-Abhyasam or Vidya-Arambham. Students worship notebooks and educational items on the day and seek blessings of the goddess. Those involved in music seek the blessings of the goddess of music and art. There is also a tradition of offering delicious bhog to the goddess. The bhog comprises of kheer and Khichdi mixed with vegetables.
Celebration
In Rajasthan, people celebrate the festival by wearing yellow clothes, display yellow flowers in homes and wearing jasmine garlands. In Punjab, people wear a yellow turban or headdress and fly kites. In Maharashtra, newly married couples visit temples and seek blessings. Vasant Panchami is not only celebrated in India but also in Pakistan. Kite flying is a traditional sport in Pakistan and during Vasant Panchami competitions are organized and the winning teams are felicitated with trophies and prizes.
Tithi
Vasant Panchami Puja Muhurta: 12:26 to 12:35 on February 9
Duration: 9 minutes
Panchami tithi begins: 12:25 pm on February 9, 2019
Panchami tithi ends: 2:08 pm on February 10, 2019
