Saraswati Puja 2024: Why is it celebrated?

Saraswati Puja is celebrated to honor the Hindu goddess Saraswati, who is regarded as the patroness of knowledge, music, art, and wisdom. The celebration takes place on the fifth day, or Panchami, of the Hindu month of Magha, which in the Gregorian calendar usually occurs at the end of January or the start of February. So the festival is also known as Basant Panchami.

Worship of Goddess Saraswati: The day of Goddess Saraswati’s supposed birth or appearance on Earth is celebrated as Basant Panchami. Saraswati is prayed to and blessed by devotees for knowledge, insight, inventiveness, and success in both artistic and intellectual pursuits.

Cultural Significance: Various regions of India celebrate Basant Panchami with tremendous excitement, as it has cultural importance. To celebrate spring and ask Maa Saraswati’s blessings, people dress in yellow, fly kites, sing songs, and host cultural events and festivities.

Celebration of Spring: In addition, Basant Panchami marks the beginning of spring, which is seen as a time of rebirth, expansion, and wealth. The celebration is known for its vivid colours, particularly yellow, which represents the arrival of spring and the flowering of mustard blossoms.

Beginning of Formal Education: Basant Panchami is celebrated in many cultures as the auspicious day when young children are first sent to school. It is thought that initiating school on this day bestows auspiciousness and Saraswati’s blessings, ensuring academic achievement.

Harvest Festival: In many regions of India, Basant Panchami also heralds the start of the harvest season. Farmers pray to Saraswati for agricultural success and execute rituals to ask for blessings for agricultural prosperity.

Basant Panchami is a joyful celebration of the coming of spring and the divine feminine energy of Maa Saraswati. It represents development, fresh beginnings, and the pursuit of creativity and knowledge.