Traditions of Saraswati Puja on Vasant Panchami

The Hindu goddess of learning, wisdom, the arts, music, and knowledge, Saraswati, is honored on the day of Vasant Panchami. Saraswati Puja and Shri Panchami are other names for Vasant Panchami, particularly in West Bengal. However, Vasant Panchami is performed with full devotion all over the country.

Vasant Panchami Significance

Vasant Panchami is thought to mark the birth anniversary of Goddess Saraswati. Thus, Saraswati Jayanti is another name for the day of Vasant Panchami. In some parts of India, it is also known as Basant Panchami.

Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, is essentially worshipped on Vasant Panchami, just like Diwali is associated with worshiping Lakshmi, the goddess of money and prosperity, and Navratri is associated with worshiping Durga, the goddess of power and bravery.

Day and time for Saraswati Pooja

According to the Hindu division of the day, Goddess Saraswati is honored during Purvahna time, which is the period before noon. This year Vasant Panchmi will be celebrated on 2nd February 2025. According to Panchang the most auspicious time for pooja will be between
7:09 AM and 12:35 PM.

Since white is thought to be Goddess Saraswati's favorite color, devotees dress the goddess in white garments and flowers. Milk and white sesame sweets are typically offered to Goddess Saraswati and shared as Prasad among loved ones. Because of the profusion of blooming
mustard flowers and marigolds (Genda Phool) during this time of year, yellow flowers are offered to Goddess Saraswati on the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami in north India. For Vidya Arambha, the custom of exposing young children to the world of formal education and learning, the day of Vasant Panchami holds significance. On the day of Vasant Panchami, Saraswati Puja is held at the majority of schools and universities.

One of the six Indian seasons in the Hindu calendar, Vasant is the equivalent of spring. Vasant Panchami is a misnomer because the day has nothing to do with the Indian Vasant season. Vasant Panchami does not always occur during the Vasant season. Currently, nevertheless, it falls during Vasant in certain years. Since none of the Hindu holidays are associated with any particular season, the terms Shri Panchami and Saraswati Puja are more fitting when referring to the day of Vasant Panchami.

The primary customs and practices observed on the day of Vasant Panchami are as follows:

• Saraswati Puja is performed at home.
• People fly kites.
• Yellow and white color dresses are worn on this day.
• Mustard and marigold flowers are offered to Goddess Saraswati.
• Musical instruments and books are worshipped.
• Small kids are given blessings by elders who are commencing their education or new Vidhya.
• In some households, pitr tarpan is carried out.

In different parts of the country, people celebrate Vasant Panchami in many ways; however, the significance of the festival remains the same.

Anjali is typically served to Goddess Saraswati first thing in the morning in most households. Bel leaves, marigolds, Palash and Guldaudi flowers, and sandal paste are used to honor the goddess.

Just like Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja is a communal celebration in which locals gather to erect pandals and place the idol of Goddess Saraswati. The phonograph is traditionally used to play music to please and obtain the graces of the Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom.

In a spectacular parade, the idol of Goddess Saraswati is removed from pandals or homes in the evening and submerged in a body of water. Although many people celebrate immersion on the same day as Saraswati Puja, the idol is typically submerged on the third day.