Vasant Panchami 2018: Celebrating the Arrival of Spring
Vasant Panchami commemorates the birth of Goddess Saraswati – the deity of knowledge, music and arts.
Vasant Panchami heralds spring. The festival falls on the fifth day of Maagh (a month in the Hindu calendar) each year and is celebrated in myriad forms across the country. Vasant Panchami is also known as Shri Panchami and Saraswati Panchami.
In 2018, Vasant Panchami will be celebrated on Monday, 22 January.
Saraswati Puja on Vasant Panchami Muhurta
According to drikPanchang,
Vasant Panchami Puja Muhurta: 07:17 am to 12:32 pm
Duration: 5 Hours 15 Mins
Panchami Tithi Begins at 15:33 on 21 January
Panchami Tithi Ends at 16:24 on 22 January
Why Is Vasant Panchami Celebrated?
According to Hindu mythology, Vasant Panchami commemorates the birth of Goddess Saraswati – the deity of knowledge, music and arts.
Vasant Panchami is considered as the beginning of the Universe, arrival of happiness among other things. It is the celebration of spring, of life, of vibrancy.
Vasant Panchami: Rituals and Celebrations
Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on Vasant Panchami. Students offer special prayers to the Goddess to help them succeed in their endeavours. Many schools organise cultural events to celebrate the festival. People fly kites and distribute sweets.
Yellow is considered an auspicious colour for the occasion and hence, you will find devotees donning yellow clothes, offering yellow flowers and yellow sweets. Kesar halwa, sweet rice garnished with saffron is popularly prepared in households.
In some parts of the country, swings are tied on trees, women and girls paint their hands with henna, adorn their hair with flowers and sing folk songs to greet the beautiful spring weather.
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