Basant Panchami 2024

Rituals and Importance of wearing yellow colour…

Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami or Shri Panchami, is a vibrant festival celebrated in India on the first day of spring, the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magha.

This year, it falls on Wednesday, February 14. Central to the celebration is the worship of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, and wisdom.

It is believed that observing this tradition on Basant Panchami leads to a bright future, as Saraswati's grace bestows progress and knowledge in life.

Basant Panchami rituals: 

Basant Panchami holds religious significance for the Hindu community, marked by the preparation of traditional food items.

Common delicacies enjoyed across the country on this day include kheer, kesar pista, Kanchipuram idli, and sweet rice. Additionally, kite flying is a popular activity in many regions, symbolizing the arrival of spring and the start of a joyful and playful season.

On Basant Panchami, devotees worship Devi Saraswati, the goddess of learning and arts. Those performing Saraswati Puja at home typically rise early, take a shower, and dress in yellow or white attire.

Students often observe a fast until the pushpanjali or offerings to Goddess Saraswati.

Homes are adorned with vibrant marigold flowers, and alpana (rangoli) is created using a paste of rice flour and water. After the puja and offerings, sweets and fruits are distributed among family members and neighbors.

Importance of wearing yellow on Basant Panchami 

Basant Panchami coincides with the time when vibrant yellow flowers bloom across rural India. Marigolds, night jasmine ('sheuli'), yellow hyacinths, lilies, and Forsythia shrubs are among the many yellow spring flowers adorning the landscape.

This abundance of yellow flowers is why yellow is the predominant color of Basant Panchami, as the name itself suggests, 'Basant' referring to the spring season.

On Basant Panchami, people adorn themselves in yellow attire, offer yellow flowers to the Goddess, and apply a yellow turmeric tilak on their foreheads.

Saraswati idols are also embellished with yellow flowers and draped in sarees of the same color. Additionally, the offerings made to Goddess Saraswati typically feature yellow items.