Marking the preparation for arrival of spring, Basant Panchami/Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day (Panchami Tithi) of the Hindu month of Magha, Shukla Paksha. This year it will be celebrated on February 16. It is dedicated to Saraswati, wife of Brahma and Goddess of knowledge, music, learning and arts.
Yellow or basanti is believed to be Saraswati’s favourite colour and all celebrations include a shade of yellow be it in decorations or attires.
According to priests, Panchami Tithi will begin on February 16 at 3.38am and will end the next day at 5.47am (February 17). The time of worship will be from 6.55am in the morning to 12:30 in the afternoon.
Following timings are to be observed:
Vasant Panchami Muhurat: February 16 at 06:59 am to 12:35 pm
Vasant Panchami Madhyahna: 12:35 pm
Start of Panchami Tithi: February 16 at 03:36 am
End of Panchami Tithi: February 17 at 05:46 am
Worshippers believe that without Saraswati the world would be shrouded in ignorance, as she is the one who represents enlightenment. Hence, Saraswati is worshipped on this day along with celebrating the agricultural fields’ ripening with yellow flowers of the mustard crop.
How to celebrate:
Dr Lal Bahadur Dubey, priest of Shri Radha Krishna Temple, Sector-18, said that after getting up early in the morning, take bath and wear clean clothes. Wear yellow clothes if possible and set a statue or picture of Maa Saraswati by laying a yellow seat on a checkpoint. Offer tikka and yellow clothes to her, light incense and worship the goddess with yellow flowers. Spring is considered to be the ‘King of all seasons’ and springtime is not only a symbol of prosperity but also considered extremely auspicious to start new work, get married or perform house warming ceremony (griha pravesh).
