The auspicious and vibrant festival of Saraswati Puja, also known as Basant Panchami is here. The festival celebrates the Goddess of Knowledge, Maa Saraswati. The festival also marks the beginning of spring season. Every year, Basant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the Maagh month which falls in January or February. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and on this day people worship the goddess, who is a symbol of knowledge, education, creativity and music.
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Puja Timing
This year, Basant Panchami will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 14. The Panchami Tithi will commence at 2:41 pm on February 13 and end at 12:09 pm on February 14.
Significance of Basant Panchami
This festival marks the onset of the spring season, hence, the colour yellow plays an important role on this day. People often wear yellow clothes and offer yellow food to the deity. The colour also symbolises prosperity, optimism, energy and positivity. On this day, while worshipping the goddess, people offer pens, pencils and books along with flowers, fruits, and sweets. Flowers such as marigolds, jasmine and roses are offered to the goddess as they are considered to be pure and auspicious.
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Puja Vidhi
On this day, it is suggested to deck up the deity in a yellow colour outfit. And then, offer flowers, fruits, and sweets. Mostly yellow flowers are offered to the Goddess. Next, devotees light camphor and agarbatti and pray to the goddess for prosperity. Also, people offer new stationaries and tilak them and pray to the Goddess for prosperity and knowledge.
Foods and Basant Panchami
Like any other festival, Basant Panchami is also incomplete without delicious dose of fruits and sweets. On this auspicious day, a few foods are prepared and are mentioned below. Take a look.
Ber
It is a seasonal fruit and is offerred to Goddess Saraswati. It helps rejuvenate skin, heals wound, and promote digestion.
Carrot
Carrot is also offered to the Goddess. It is rich in beta-carotene, which helps lower cholesterol, and improve eyesight.
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Khichdi
In some parts of India, Khichdi is also served as bhog to the Goddess.
Boondi
Made with gram flour, edible colour, and sugar syrup, this small sweet balls are offered as bhog to the Goddess.
Gur Wale Chawal
Made with rice, jaggery, water, milk, and ginger, this is a healthy treat offered to Goddess Saraswati.
Panchamrit
Made with curd, milk, ghee, honey, and tulsi leaves, it is a healhty concoction offered to the devi on this auspicious day.
