Bhubaneswar, Feb 14: The vibrant Hindu festival of Basant Panchami is joyously observed throughout the nation. Also referred to as Vasant Panchami, Shri Panchami, or Saraswati Puja, it heralds the arrival of spring on its first day.
It initiates the preparations for the forthcoming Holi festival, scheduled forty days later. The occasion venerates Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of knowledge, music, art, science, and craftsmanship. Lord Ganesha is also revered alongside the goddess.
Across India, mustard flowers bloom in abundance during Basant Panchami, symbolizing the onset of spring. Furthermore, the festival is notably associated with the color yellow. If partaking in Basant Panchami festivities, acquaint yourself with its puja rituals, auspicious timings, and essential ceremonial items.
Basant Panchami 2024 Auspicious Timings:
This year, Basant Panchami falls on February 14. According to Drik Panchang, Saraswati Puja commences at 7:11 am and concludes at 12:35 pm on February 14. The auspicious period spans 5 hours and 35 minutes. Additionally, the Panchami tithi begins at 2:41 pm on February 13 and ends at 12:09 pm on February 14.
Basant Panchami 2024 Puja Rituals, Procedures, and Necessities:
On Saraswati Puja day, don attire in yellow hues. Rise early, cleanse yourself, don yellow and white garments, and pay homage to Maa Saraswati. Enshrine an idol or image of the goddess in your sacred space after purifying it with Ganga water and adorning her in yellow attire. Subsequently, offer marigold flowers, Akshat (unbroken rice grains), white sandalwood, yellow roli (vermilion), yellow gulal (colored powder), incense, and yellow sweets. Proceed to worship Maa Saraswati by lighting a lamp, reciting Saraswati Vandana, chanting mantras, and performing aarti. Devotees also place their notebooks, office diaries, educational materials, and artistic tools before Maa Saraswati for blessings. Meanwhile, practitioners of various art forms such as dance and music venerate their instruments.
For the Saraswati Puja ceremony, gather the following necessities:
- Yellow flowers
- Offerings (Besan laddu, Rajbhog, saffron rice, malpua, Bundi ke laddu, banana)
- Saffron
- Yellow attire
- Idols of Maa Saraswati and Lord Ganesha
- Betel nut and leaf
- Durva grass
- Kumkum (vermilion)
- Yellow sandalwood
- Ganga water
- Ghee
- Kalash (metal pot)
- Camphor
- Coconut
- Coin
- Pen and paper
- Panchmeva (mixture of five dry fruits)
- Cow ghee
- Sugar
- Sesame seeds
- Guggal (aromatic resin)
