Basant-Panchami (Saraswati Puja)

Basant Panchami or Saraswati Puja is being celebrated since the vedic period by the Hindus. It is celebrated in the month of Magh which according to English calendar is in the month of January every year. In the vedic period, the learned gurus, then known as rishis, used to admit the aspirant students into their educational institutions on this day of Basant Panchami, but today this auspicious day is celebrated and considered important for other purposes

Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and learning is revered by all who attach due importance to wisdom and learning, so Basant Panchami is the day on which the Goddess of wisdom is fervently worshipped by those who favour learning by offering their sincere prayer to Goddess Sarda and by organizing literary programs, like drama and art exhibitions and by singing devotional

Basant ritu or the spring season is marked by new vegetation with the blooming of various coloured flowers and mustard seeds amidst the buzzing of bees, dancing of multi coloured butterflies and sweet songs of the birds. In short, the whole world seems busy with different activities during this season. Therefore, the students and the scholars celebrate Saraswati Puja in a befitting manner and clad themselves in colourful atlirs in tune with the spirit of the nature, for, this is also the festival to welcome the spring season.

Lord Krishna has aptly described spring as 'Rituna Kusmakar' meaning spring is the king of all seasons because of the prevailing peaceful atmosphere with fun and laughter all around and because of bright and pleasant days which are neither too hot like those of summer nor bitter cold like those of winter season. This also means that the 'change in seasons bring changes in all animals and vegetations by stimulating the virility in them thereby awakening the whole world into action, that is why, health hazardons stimulants are advised to avoid with the advent of this season. In praise of spring seasons the scripture has eulogized thus; "Amra Puspa mati sarak fapit pramay hanut, abigra dustiharsit ruchiksit grahi watlum." which means, the flowers of mango, which bloom in spring are soothing. and act as refrigerant to the body and prevents dysentry, improve biles and cure blood related diseases. Its consumption also improves appetite and respiration. That is why people residing' in warmer places eat recipies prepared from mango and drink beverages made of mango pulp.

The festival of Basant Panchami not only enables all to worship Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and learning, but also helps indirectly to develop their society where the contribution of knowledge is considered very important and inevitable