Basant Panchami 2024 Arrives: Why Vansant Panchami Is An Important Holiday In India?

Basant Panchami or Vasant Panchami marks the arrival of the spring season, which begins with the fifth day of the lunar month of Magha, as per the Hindu calendar. Hindus believe that as per the traditions, it takes around forty days for the complete transition from one season to another. As spring is considered the best of all seasons, historically the preparation begins earlier on Basant Panchami for the Holika or Holi festival that follows after forty days, when spring in India for the western and central region is in its full bloom.

Maa Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom is worshipped whole-heartedly by artisans across the country. Artists believe all the art, knowledge and wisdom present today, are intrinsic to the goddess and respect the pieces of 'Gyan' or art bestowed upon them by the blessings of Devi Saraswati. The celebration begins with the Saraswati Pooja on the blessed moment of Basant Panchami since devotees consider this day to dedicate prayers and offerings to the goddess of knowledge, who points the right direction for their life journey. The auspicious day is celebrated with great pleasure as Hindus believe that heartfelt prayers on Basant Panchami would help them get closure to their 'Lakshya' in life, meaning aim or destiny, followed by 'Lakshmi', which means wealth as per Hindu traditions.

Basant Panchami 2024 Date & Time

The festival is dedicated to the goddess and the resemblance of the yellow-coloured traditional wear is visible throughout the country. In most parts of Northern India, on the day of Basant Pachmi, the agricultural lands seemingly appear in yellow due to the presence of marigolds or 'genda', mustard flowers, daffodils and lilies.

Basant Panchami 2024 will begin by mid-day 13th February to end by mid-day 14th February. The 'Basant Panchami Thithi 2024' or 'Basant Panchami Mahurat 2024' for performing Saraswati Pooja this year is believed to start by 3 pm on 13th February till noon on 14th February 2024. As per the Hindu calendar, Basant Panchami Mahurat would begin by 7:00 am and end by 12:35 pm on Wednesday, 14th February, with the Panchami Madhyahna moment declared as 12:35 pm.

Why Does Basant Panchmi Hold Significance For Hindus?

The auspicious day is considered a blessed tenure since the chilling dry winters end for fertile and hydrated weather in the upcoming tenures. As per ancient Hindu text, water is the lifeline of almost all small-large creatures present on our planet. The long and dry winters eliminate most of the lives of small plants and insects, which are the feeding stock for many other larger organisms. Hence the whole food chain of insects, pythons, and mammals is affected by the winter season, however, the spring allows the sun to reach every part of the land, enabling a boost in the biological food chain. The birth cycle of many creatures begins with the availability of hydration in the atmosphere, increasing the overall optimism for plants and animals. To embark on the beginning of good times with blessings, Hindu devotees perform Saraswati puja and await the forty-day arrival of complete spring.

How Basant Panchami Is Celebrated:

Basant Panchami 2024 will be celebrated in the traditional way of families and crowds gathering for Saraswati Puja in temples, homes and offices as well. Saraswati Pooja is a major Indian cultural ritual, followed by all Hindus to pay their respect towards the goddess of wisdom for embracing knowledge upon humans. Schools and colleges especially celebrate this day with Saraswati Puja by placing idols and offering fruits, sweets, and food for the goddess. A special 'Abhishek' or warm bath with panchamrit is offered in the beginning with students praying with books and pen, resembling the knowledge, while artisans pray with their art tools, resembling the 'qala' or the art they are blessed with. While the Saraswati Puja is performed, students and devotees recite the 'Saraswati Vandana', a mythological poem dedicated to the power and remembrance of Goddess Saraswati.