Vasant Panchami ~ बसन्त पंचमी

Vasant Panchami is the Hindu festival that highlights the coming of spring. This festival is usually celebrated on fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Magh Mass, which is between the months of January and February in Gregorian calendar. On this day Lord Vishnu, God Krishna-Radha and Goddess of education Mata Saraswati is worshiped with yellow flowers, Gulal, water offerings, incense, lamp etc. In the Puja, as per the tradition, yellow and sweet rice and yellow colored Halwa is offered to God and then eaten as Prasadam. In the year 2012, the festival will be celebrated on 28th January.

Panchami is also celebrated as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati. Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. Goddess Saraswati is the mother of wisdom and music.This festival is specially significant for lovers of art and education. The goddess Sarasvati, sitting on a lotus, symbolizes her wisdom. She is also well-versed in the experience of truth. When the goddess is seen sitting on a peacock, it is a reminder that a strong ego can be held back by wisdom.

The day of Vasant Panchami is considered as the beginning of life, arrival of happiness, the season of rebirth and renewal. Vasant Panchami is included in the Abujh muhurat. Vasant Panchami is a favorable day for auspicious works like marriage, construction of house, beginning of a factory etc. and considered as of a favorable Muhurat for inauguration of an educational institute.