Saraswati Puja 2024: Basant Panchami Date, Time And How To Celebrate It

Saraswati Puja 2024: Basant Panchami is a Hindu festival heralding the arrival of the spring season. Basant Panchami (Vasant Panchami) is also known as Saraswati puja. This day usually falls in late January or early February. This day is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, who is the deity of knowledge, language, music, and arts. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Magha.

People worship Goddess Saraswati to attain enlightenment and wisdom. In South India, Saraswati Puja is additionally observed as Ayudha Puja.

Basant Panchami 2024: Date, Timings and Muhurat

This year, Saraswati Puja or Basant Panchami will be observed on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

As we near the celebrations, here are a few details that you must know.

As per Drik Panchang, this year, Vasant Panchami will be observed on February 14. The Panchami Tithi will commence at 14:41 PM on February 13 and conclude at 12:09 PM on February 14.

Basant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day (Panchami Tithi) of the Magha month on the Shukla Paksha as per the Hindu calendar. Basant Panchami falls on the fifth day of the bright Lunar cycle. The festival gets its name from ¡®Basant¡¯ which means spring and ¡®Panchami¡¯ the fifth day of the Magha Maas.

Saraswati Puja 2024: Basant Panchami Date, Time And How To Celebrate Saraswati Puja On February 14? | therealschool

Saraswati Puja 2024 Significance

• People worship Goddess Saraswati and present offerings to seek her blessings. Pushpanjali, an offering of flowers, is made to appease the Goddess of Knowledge.
• People normally dress up in yellow-coloured clothes as it holds special significance on this day.
• The yellow colour represents energy, knowledge and enlightenment. Even the Goddess herself is dressed in yellow.
• On this day, young children take their first steps into the realm of education, marking the auspicious commencement of learning in various fields.
• The ritual is known as Akbar Abhyasam or Vidya Arambham.
• Saraswati Puja is widely celebrated by Hindus in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and many parts of the world.
• Saraswati Pooja is a major festival and there a unique prasad of Sev, Boondi and green Ber is offered to the Goddess along with Dahi and Chidwa.

It is believed that the yellow colour is Goddess Saraswati¡¯s favourite and this is why on this day from the decorations to delicacies to attire, everything revolves around various shades of yellow. It is believed that the yellow colour represents energy, knowledge and enlightenment. Traditionally, on this day yellow coloured delicacies are offered to the deity. Right from sumptuous kheer, ladoos, khichdi, pulao, sweet ber and fruits, food adds a touch of zeal to the festivity.

Basant Panchami 2024 FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Basant Panchami 2024:

• When is Basant Panchami 2024?

Basant Panchami 2024 will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

• What is Basant Panchami or Saraswati Puja?

Basant Panchami is a Hindu festival that marks the arrival of spring. It is also known as Saraswati Puja, as it is a day to worship the goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, and arts.

• How is Basant Panchami celebrated?

On Basant Panchami, people wake up early and take a bath. They then clean their homes and decorate them with flowers and rangolis. They also offer prayers to the goddess Saraswati and seek her blessings for wisdom and knowledge.

• What are the rituals of Basant Panchami?

The rituals of Basant Panchami include:

Saraswati Puja: People offer prayers to the goddess Saraswati. They place an idol of the goddess on a pedestal and decorate it with flowers, garlands, and other offerings. They also offer prayers and sing hymns in her praise.

Aksharabhyasam: This is a ritual where children are introduced to the alphabet for the first time. They are made to write their first words on a slate or a piece of paper.

Kite flying: Kite flying is a popular activity on Basant Panchami. People fly kites of different colours and shapes to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Wearing yellow: Yellow is considered to be an auspicious colour on Basant Panchami. People wear yellow clothes, eat yellow food, and decorate their homes with yellow flowers.

• What is the significance of Basant Panchami?

Basant Panchami is a significant festival for Hindus. It marks the arrival of spring, which is a time of new beginnings and hope. It is also a day to celebrate knowledge and learning.

• Where is Basant Panchami celebrated?

Basant Panchami is celebrated all over India, but it is especially popular in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.

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