WHAT IS
BASANT PANCHAMI?

Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami, is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated to welcome the arrival of spring. Derived from the words "Basant" meaning spring and "Panchami" referring to the fifth day, this auspicious occasion falls on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Magha. Basant Panchami is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, arts, and wisdom. It is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm all across India, as it symbolises the onset of a season filled with new beginnings and fresh possibilities.
The festival holds immense cultural significance, as it marks the start of the harvest season and is associated with the colour yellow. People dress in vibrant yellow attire to represent the colour of blossoming mustard flowers, which is symbolic of prosperity and fertility. Traditional prayers and rituals are performed in homes, schools, and temples to seek the blessings of Goddess Saraswati. People also engage in various cultural activities such as singing, dancing, and reciting poetry to honour the goddess and embrace the arts.