Basant Panchami, also recognized as Shri Panchami or Vasant Panchami, is one of the significant Indian festivals. This festival marks the preparation for the beginning of spring. It is celebrated in different ways all across the nation. This famous festival is celebrated in the month of Magha or spring and on the fifth day of the Lunar Eclipse. This day generally falls in the months of January/ February. On this day, the Goddess of wisdom, knowledge, learning, art, and music, the Saraswati Goddess, is worshipped. The students also worship the Goddess at this festival. That is why this festival is also called the Saraswati Puja.
When is Basant Panchami 2023? – Date and Significance
This year, Basant Panchami will fall on the 26th of January, Thursday. According to Panchang, the Magha Shukla Panchami will start on the 25th of January, 2023, at 12:34 PM. And it will end on the 26th of January 2023, at 10:28 AM. So, as per this duration, Basant or Vasant Panchami will be celebrated and observed according to the "Udaya Tithi" on Thursday, the 26th of January, 2023.
The yellow color represents the significance and importance on this day. The devotees wear yellow clothes and worship the Goddess Saraswati. Yellow dishes such as Kesar Halwa and yellow rice are also prepared on this day. During this festival, the fields are also blessed with mustard flowers in yellow that showcases the beginning and start of spring. Yellow signifies the color of knowledge and intellect, and the mustard fields.
Pooja Vidhi and Rituals
The Pooja is started with placing the idol or photo of Maa Saraswati on the wooden platform. And the white or yellow cloth is spread on it. Also, the children's books and other stationery items like pens, slate, and pencils are kept near the Goddess to get her blessings. Then, the brass lamp is lit using mustard oil, or ghee. Some incense sticks are also lit in front of the idol of the Goddess. The Kumkum tilak should also be put on the forehead of the Goddess. Then bhog is offered to Maa Saraswati. One should pray to Maa Saraswati sincerely and invite her to accept one's offerings and prayers. Maa Saraswati is considered the protector of our attitudes and intelligence. As per the best astrologer, all the rituals of the Pooja should be performed with care and devotion.
We wish you all a Very Happy Basant Panchami 2023. May this festival enlighten and brighten your life with success and wisdom. We also wish everyone a Very Happy Republic Day!