BASANT PANCHAMI 2023: When flowers blossom, trees doll up in a rustic tinge, butterflies mellow down to drink the sweetest nectar and birds fly high in flocks to feed on fleshy fruits and rest in their houses, and people bid adieu to the freezing winter and lay red carpets to the lush spring is when the Hindu festival- Basant Panchami is observed. 

This significant festival is observed by Sikhs on the 5th day of the Magh, as per the Hindu calendar, in January/February.

Date and Time of Saraswati Puja celebrations 2023

Basant Panchami 2023 is commemorated on the 26th of January with pomp and fun.

The Muhurata for 2023 starts on January 25 at 12:04 PM. At 12:15 PM, the Madhyahna moment occurs. The Panchami tithi for this year runs from 12:04 PM on January 25 till 9:58 AM on January 26.

Traditional Saraswati Pooja celebration

While nature looks viridescent, devotees clad in yellow sarees to worship Maa Saraswati with yellow flowers. 

Ma Saraswati is considered the symbol of knowledge, wisdom, music, language, and all other art forms, she is greatly venerated with flowers. During this time of the year, agricultural fields are evolving with yellow flowers of mustard crop, which is Ma Saraswati’s favorite color.

This is the time when elders sit with their kids and embark on their journey of acquiring skills and knowledge of writing, reading, and other art forms which is traditionally called Vidya- Aarambh. 

Many educational institutions organize prayers and gatherings to seek the grace of the holy goddess. 

People in West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura, and Assam perform poojas in temples and homes, and exchange snacks and sweets with each other. Besides these states, people in Nepal, and Bangladesh too, acknowledge the festival with zeal and devotion. In Bali, Indonesia, Hari Raya Saraswati is celebrated to mark their devotion to the goddess of Knowledge.

In the south, the people from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh celebrate the festival with a great degree of vigor and verve. The festival is called ‘ Sri Panchami’ there.

Yagnas, Homas are also carried out with dedication to please the Goddess and seek her blessings. Usually, yellow-colored fruits like mangoes are offered to the deity and the devotees. 

Basant Panchami in West Bengal

Basant Panchami is seen by the youth of West Bengal as a ‘ Valentine’s Day’- a chance to interact openly with people of the opposite sex. 

Students eagerly lay all of their textbooks, notepads, pens, pencils, and reference books under the goddess’ watchful gaze before rightfully requesting a day off from school because according to tradition, one shouldn’t study on this day.

Basant Panchami in Bihar

On Basant Panchami, the Deo-Sun Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the Sun God, was founded in the Bihar district of Aurangabad. The Sun-Deo God’s birthday and the day’s founding by King Aila of Allahabad are both commemorated on this day. On Basant Panchami, the sculptures are cleansed and their old red clothing is exchanged for fresh outfits. Devotees perform musical instruments, sing, and dance.

Basant Panchami in Tripura

In Tripura, Ma Saraswati is treated as a charming goddess in white. She is draped in a saree and embedded on a lotus or riding a white swan to depict the concepts of purity, peace, sanctity, etc. Girls wear sarees and pray to the Goddess for good health, wisdom, and a great year ahead.

Basant Panchami in Madhya Pradesh,Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh

It is understood from mythological tales that Madan, the Hindu God of love shot bees and arrows at Lord Shiv to raise him from deep meditation and attend to his wife, Parvati. Hence, people of these states venerate Shiv and Parvati as main deities. The idols of Saraswati are soaked in River Ganges as a part of the ritual.

Food cooked during Basanta Panchami

Also Read: 74th Republic Day- Unfurling India’s Valor

The first thought that strikes a common man’s mind in a fiesta is food! And Basant Panchami is a festival that stirs one’s gustatory pleasure. 

• Dulcet Kesari Baath soaked in sizzling ghee slides through people’s taste buds to make them overwhelmed and exuberant.
• The yellowish Khaman Dhoklas pass on its aroma to the next doors inviting people to treat their appetite.
• Heavenly Boondi Ke Laddoo, ready to be graced by divinity, holds back to be galloped by kids.
• Honeyed sweet awaits buzzing fists to grab them.

Basant Panchami in Pakistan 

Although Basant Panchami celebrations remain the same across the state, this being celebrated in Pakistan with a different name is astounding. Jashn-e-Baharan is the name given by the Pakistanis to the fest. People flush the sky with flamboyant kites with wide grins on their faces. 

People occupy kite stores, handicrafts fairs, tent pegging, and folk art performances, flower shows, and sports fests during this time.

For their spectacular kite-flying activities, Faisalabad, Karachi, Multan, Sialkot, Jhelum, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad are also well-known.

The Jilani Park at Lahore marks the celebration of Jash-e-Baharan for a month hosting flowers from different parts of the globe. The park has a man-made lake, and a bird sanctuary and conducts floral exhibitions.

Want to spend some good time with family and friends and chill out? Then you must visit this place sometime. The place gloats about organizing each year,

• Animal Show
• Painting Exhibitions and Competitions
• Musical Concerts
• Food court
• Flower Exhibitions
• Adventure Rides and Swings
• Magic Show
• Haunted House
• Snake Show

Grab your tickets and make memories with your loved ones.

FAQs

• Who started the traditional kite festival associated with Basant Panchami?

         It was started by Maharaja Ranjith Singh in Punjab two hundred years back.

• What is the history behind Basant Panchami celebrations?

       On Basant Panchami, a wooden log bearing a statue of the demon Holika, who,        according to the scriptures, was killed by the fire with the aid of Lord Vishnu, is set up in a prominent location. Devotees build the pyre for “Holika Dahan” (burning of Holika) on the day before Holi during the following 40 days to symbolize the victory of good over evil.

• When’s Basant Panchami celebrated this year?

Basant Panchami 2023 is commemorated on the 26th of January with pomp and fun.

The Muhurata for BASANT PANCHAMI 2023 starts on January 25 at 12:04 PM. At 12:15 PM, the Madhyahna moment occurs. The Panchami tithi for this year runs from 12:04 PM on January 25 till 9:58 AM on January 26.

• What are the states that celebrate Basant Panchami?

The states of Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra observe this festival.

• Who is the main deity of Basant Panchami?

Ma Saraswati, Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati are the main deities of Basant Panchami.

All Details Of Saraswati Puja/ Vasant Panchami In Brief

The post BASANT PANCHAMI 2023 : Things You Must Know appeared first on Republic Aeon.