How Is Vasant Panchami Celebrated?
Vasant Panchami, also known as Shree Panchami, is a spring festival that is celebrated by Hindus all over the world, especially in the northern parts of India. The festival, which ushers in the start of spring, is filled with traditions that Hindu men, women and children celebrate.
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Significance
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Vasant Panchami celebrates the Hindu goddess Saraswati, who is the goddess of learning and knowledge. She is worshiped through offerings on this day, which is also considered her birthday. Vasant Panchami is associated with youth because springtime brings hope, joy and life. The festival symbolizes the end of ignorance, or the lack of knowledge, and the beginning of spiritual enlightenment, which is bestowed by Saraswati.
Symbols
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The goddess Sarasvati is depicted as wearing white, which symbolizes purity, and she has four hands. The hands--one of which holds a lotus, the other scriptures and the other two playing an an instrument similar to a sitar--symbolize ego, intellect, alertness and the mind.
Sometimes Sarasvati is depicted as riding on a white swan, which signifies that people should be able to distinguish good from bad. She may also be depicted sitting on a lotus, which symbolizes her wisdom, or sitting on a peacock, which is a reminder that a strong ego can be constrained by wisdom.
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Traditions
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During Vasant Panchami, people dress in bright yellow, which signifies nature and life. Flowers are offered to people and gods and goddesses. A feast is prepared that includes kesar halwa or kesar halva, a pastry made from flour, sugar, nuts, cardamom and saffron strands, which gives the pastry a vibrant yellow color. Students place pens, pencils and notebooks near the feet of the goddess Sarasvati, who bestows intelligence, so that they can be blessed for good and positive results before they can be used.
Holiday Schedule
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Vasant Panchami is usually celebrated on the fifth day of "Magh," a month in the Hindu calendar that is between the months of January and February. In India, schools close during this public holiday. However, private businesses, government offices and public transportation are operational throughout the day.
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