Basant Panchami also known as Vasant Panchami marks the onset of spring season. It falls on the fifth day Maagh every year. This year Basant Panchami will be celebrated on two days, 9th & 10th Feb 2019. The festival also marks the pleasant shift of the weather from cold. It is also believed that Goddess Saraswati was born on Basant Panchami and that is why it is also known as Shree Panchami, the devotees worship the Goddess with various offerings.
The colour yellow is closely related to this festival. The colour symbolizes renewed hope, optimism, energy and beginnings. Sikhs and people from the south mostly celebrate this festival. The customs can vary across the states but the essence of the festival remains the same.
Check out the significance, story, mantra, date, time related to the festival
Significance of Basant Panchami
On this day, people perform Saraswati puja during Purvahna Kala which is the time between sunrise and midday. This is followed by a vegetarian meal. Next day, a procession is held where the idol of the Goddess is immersed.
The day is also considered extremely auspicious to start new work, get married or perform house warming ceremony (griha pravesh). People honour the Goddess of music, knowledge, arts and science and seek blessings.
Basant Panchami Saraswati Puja Muhurta (Timings)
Panchami Tithi begins: 12: 25 pm on February 9, 2019
Panchami Tithi ends: 2:08 pm on February 10, 2019
Basant Panchami Mantra
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता
या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना।
या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥
शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचार सार परमामाद्यां जगद्व्यापिनीं
वीणा-पुस्तक-धारिणीमभयदां जाड्यान्धकारापहाम्।
हस्ते स्फटिकमालिकां विदधतीं पद्मासने संस्थिताम्
वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धिप्रदां शारदाम्॥२॥
Story behind Basant Panchami
According to a mythological story attached to Basant Panchami, Lord Shiva’s wife Parvati approached Kama to wake up her husband from meditation since Maha Shivaratri. Kama accepts Parvati’s request and helps Shiva bringing him back to Parvati. Kama shoots arrows made of flowers and bees from a sugarcane bow which awakes Shiva.
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