Basant Panchami
Vasanta Panchami falls on Shishir Rityu (winter). It is on Sun 2nd February 2025. It comes on Magha Shukla Panchami. After winter spring follows. Shishir welcomes Vasant rityu and also Vasant utsav start from Vasant Panchami ends on Ranga Panchami.
Vasant Panchami is also called as Basant Panchami, Sri Panchami and Madan Panchami. It is Saraswati Jayanthi. Matha Saraswati is one of three Shakti and Shanta Swaroopini. In Durga Sapthasathi slokas of Mata Saraswati is recited as Madyama Charitra. On Vasant Panchami Saraswati and Lakshmi Matha are worshipped.
Saraswati devi is Goddess of Education, knowledge, wisdom and Music. Saraswati means to produce best nector within the body. Seven notes Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa Da, Ni, Sa are Sapthasvaralu a boon given by Saraswati devi to music world. Whether it is classical or western music or any form of dance is based on Sapthasvaralu.
On the day of Vasant Panchami idol of Saraswati devi or copper yantra is worshipped. Devotees wear white cloths, offer white flowers, white Chandan and Basundi sweet made with milk is offered. It is the day of Education. It is auspicious to perform Aksharabhyasam of child on this day. Slate and chalk pieces are distributed to Children on this occasion. Books, pencils and pens are kept at the time of Saraswati pooja. Children and students are given with Saraswati Deeksha writing “Im” bheejakshar with Honey on their tongue.
In some parts of India being a Sri Panchami devotees wear yellow cloths, offer yellow flowers and yellow sweets and worship Sri yantra and Lakshmi devi for wealth and prosperity.
Furthermore it is also Madana Panchami who is famous as Kamadev. He is also Pradhyumna grandson of Lord Krishna. Vasant Rityu is “God of Grain,” Kamadev is “God of Love “ and his wife Rati Devi is “ Goddess of Devotion” and three of them are celebrated together from Vasant Panchami to Holi as Rati Kama Madan Utsav for healthy cordial realtion among people. Kamadev was burnt to ashes with opening of third eye of Lord Shiva.
It is important to note Vasant is Lord Vishnu. Therefore Vishnu is worshipped along with Lord Krishna. Even though Saraswati devi is Goddess of Sapthasvaralu, she learnt Eighth Swaram (note) from Lord Krishna. It is clearly evident Goddess Saraswati holds an instrument Veena having seven strings, while Lord Krishna plays Flute having eight holes (8th notes). Thereafter Saraswati devi is crowned with peacock feather as glory of Eighth note.
Accordingto Hindu Puran Mata Saraswati is wife of Brahma and Sharada is Brahma Kumari, daughter of Brahma. There are two famous temples of Saraswati devi one at Kashmir and another at Basara in Telangana state.
Vimala, Vagdevi, Neelatara, VeenaVani, Neela Saraswati and Maha Saraswati are other names of Saraswati devi. Even on Vasant Panchami marriage and other Hindu rituals are performed.
In Brahma Vaivartha puran Narada Rushi questioned Lord Narayan regarding Pooja procedure of Saraswathi devi. Prior to worship of Saraswathi , Ganesh, Surya, Agni, Vishnu, Shiv and Parvathi devi pooja to be performed.
Naivedhyam:
After performance of Shodashavupachara pooja offer Butter, curd. Milk, popcorn. Seaseme Laddu, white Sugarcane and Juice, jaggery, Honey, Swastik sweet, Sugar or Sugarcandy, Poha white color Laddu, Kichidi with sea salt and Ghee, wheat flour Halwa or Kheer made with ghee, Bannana friuts salad and ripe bannana sugar rice with ghee, coconut and coconut water, Turnip, Kesar Ginger, Bhel fruit, raspberry and Seasonal fruits as Naivedyam to Saraswati devi. These are favourite foods to Devi.
OFFERINGS:
Scented flowers like Jasmine and Garland, Pearl and precious stones mala, Mango flowers, White Chandan, New clothes and Shank.
Sadhana Procedure:
After completion of pooja recite Saraswathi Kavacham and chant Four lakhs Moola Mantra Shreem Hreem Saraswathye Swaha to attain Siddhi as Brihaspati. This Mantra is given by Lord Narayan to Valmiki Rushi on the bank of river Ganges. On Surya Grahan at Pushkar Brighu Maharshi given this Mantra to Shukdev. While in Chandragrahan Kashyap Rushi given this Mantra to Lord Brihaspati and many more God’s performed this Sadhana to attain siddhi as Brihaspati. During Magha Month Saraswati Navaratri utshov is celebrated from Magha Shukla Padyami to Navami named as Guptha Navaratri.
During Magha Month Saraswati Navaratri utshov is celebrated from Magha Shukla Padyami to Navami named as Guptha Navaratri or Magh Navaratri or Saraswati Navaratri. In Plavanama year it starts from 2nd February ends on 10th Feburary 2022. Reciting Saraswati Stotram and Kavacham are auspicious for health, wealth and intelligence.
