Vasant Panchami, also spelled Basant Panchami, also called as Sri Panchami, is a spring festival celebrated in India.
Vasant Panchami has a specific meaning: Vasant means “spring” and Panchami means “the fifth day.” Thus, Vasant Panchami falls on the fifth day of spring. It is observed on the fifth day of the Indian traditional calendar month of Magha, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of January or February.
From Sankranti (usually around 14th of January), the days start to get warmer. Basant Panchami marks the official start of the spring season.
The festival is celebrated in various ways depending on the region. Many regions like Nepal, West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam pray to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of learning, arts, and music. People visit temples, have special pandals where the Goddess’ idol is installed for community worship, conduct musical programs, and hold special prayers for students.
People wear yellow clothes as that is believed to be the favourite colour of Goddess Saraswati.
In some families, children are introduced to their first written letter on this day.
Goddess Saraswati is the patron goddess of all things learning – education, creative writing, and all performance arts. She is usually depicted as a river. Her vehicle is the swan, and she holds the Veena (an Indian stringed instrument), a book, and a small prayer mala.
In southern states such as Andhra Pradesh, the same day is called Sri Panchami where “Sri” refers to her as another aspect of the one goddess Devi.
In other regions like Punjab and Haryana, people wear yellow clothes and eat yellow rice to emulate the yellow mustard (sarson) flower fields – which are ripe in this season.
In Punjab, Sikhs and Hindus wear yellow turban or head dress and celebrate the day by flying kites. In Maharashtra, newly married couples visit a temple and offer prayers on the first Vasant Panchami after the wedding.
Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika bonfire and Holi, which occurs forty days later.