Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchmi, is a Hindu festival that marks the arrival of spring. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the month of Magh according to the Hindu calendar. The festival is also referred to as Saraswati Puja in many parts of the country and involves worshipping Goddess Saraswati. People dress in yellow, as the colour is considered auspicious and also represents the mustard fields of Punjab and Haryana. As Saraswati is worshipped as the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, art and culture, children are encouraged to write their first words in front of her idol, to seek her blessings.
Check Basant Panchami 2024 date, history, significance, how to celebrate, traditions, Pongal wishes, and places to observe.
Meaning of Basant Panchami
Vasant Panchami is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, arts, science, music, and technology. We celebrate Basant Panchami to worship the Goddess Saraswati and to mark the arrival of the spring season.
Basant Panchami 2024 Date and Muhurat
Basant Panchami in 2024 will be celebrated on 14th February, Wednesday. Basant Panchami muhurat will be from 07:01 AM to 12:35 PM.
Basant Panchmi History and Significance
Basant Panchmi 2024
Goddess Saraswati, the deity of learning, music and art was considered to have been born on this day. To achieve wisdom and art from her, people celebrate Basant Panchami. The importance of Basant Panchami is that the day is very auspicious; people start new work, get married or start anything new on this day.
Story of Basant Panchami
The legend associated with the festival says that after Kalidasa was left by his wife, who was a beautiful princess, he planned to kill himself in despair. When he was about to commit suicide by drowning himself in a river, Goddess Saraswati emerged from the same waters and asked him to bathe in it.
When Kalidasa took a dip in the river its water gave him wisdom and he became a famous poet, celebrated throughout the world.
Basant Panchami Puja Vidhi
On this day, people decorate the idol of Goddess Saraswati in a yellow colour outfit. The deity is offered flowers, fruits, and sweets along with camphor and agarbatti. They then pray to the goddess for prosperity and knowledge. People recite Saraswati Vandana during the puja. Here is Basant Panchami mantra/ Saraswati Vandana:
Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala Ya Shubhra Vastravrita
Ya Veena Varadanda Manditakara Ya Shveta Padmasana
Ya Brahmachyuta Shankara Prabhritibhir Devaih Sada Pujita
Sa Mam Pattu Saravatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha Jadyapaha॥1॥
Shuklam Brahmavichara Sara, Parmamadyam Jagadvyapineem
Veena Pustaka Dharineema Bhayadam Jadyandhakarapaham।
Haste Sphatikamalikam Vidadhateem Padmasane Samsthitam
Vande Tam Parmeshvareem Bhagwateem Buddhipradam Sharadam॥2॥
Basant Panchami 2024 Celebrations across India
26-January 2024 | Basant Panchmi 2024
People all over India celebrate the day by wearing yellow-coloured clothes, eating and distributing sweets, decorating their homes with yellow flowers, exchanging Basant Panchami wishes, and much more. Some people also observe a fast for the whole day. Students all over the country offer their stationery to Saraswati, and it is customary to read or write that day.
Best Places to Observe During Basant Panchami 2024
- In Punjab, the day involves flying kites that signify freedom and joy.
- In Maharashtra, newlyweds offer their prayers at a temple, wearing yellow clothes, on their first Basant Panchami together.
- In Rajasthan, people wear jasmine garlands to celebrate the day.
- In West Bengal, artists worship their tools in front of Goddess Saraswati.
Check Out the Deepawali 2024 Date
Other Festivals in India with Holiday Type
| Festivals in India | Day | Date | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Mon | 01-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Lohri | Sat | 13-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Makar Sankranti | Sun | 14-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Pongal | Mon | 15-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | Wed | 17-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Republic Day | Fri | 26-Jan | Gazetted Holiday |
| Losar | Sat | 10-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Basant Panchmi | Wed | 14-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Ravidas Jayanti | Sat | 24-Feb | Gazetted Holiday |
| Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Wed | 6-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Mahashivratri | Fri | 8-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Holi | Mon | 25-March | Gazetted Holiday |
| Good Friday | Fri | 29-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Easter Day | Sun | 31-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Gudi Padwa | Tue | 9-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | Wed | 10-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Vaisakhi (Vishu) | Sat | 13-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Rama Navami | Wed | 17-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Sun | 21-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Rabindra Jayanti | Wed | 8-May | Restricted Holiday |
| Buddha Purnima (Vesak) | Thu | 23-May | Gazetted Holiday |
| Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | Mon | 17-Jun | Restricted Holiday |
| Rath Yatra | Sun | 7-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Muharram (Ashura) | Wed | 17-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Independence Day | Thu | 15-Aug | Gazetted Holiday |
| Parsi New Year’s Day (Nauraz) | Thu | 15-Aug | Public Holiday |
| Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) | Mon | 19-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Janmashtami | Mon | 26-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Sat | 7-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Onam | Sun | 15-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e- Milad | Mon | 16-Sep | Gazetted Holiday |
| Gandhi Jayanti | Wed | 02-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dussehra | Sat | 12-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Valmiki Jayanti | Thu | 17-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Karva Chauth | Sun | 20-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dhanteras | Tue | 29-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Kali Puja | Thu | 31-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Halloween Day | Thu | 31-Oct | No Holiday |
| Diwali | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Lakshmi Puja | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Karnataka Rajyotsava | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Kerala Piravi | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Govardhan Puja | Sat | 2-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Bhai Dooj | Sun | 3-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Chhath Puja | Thu | 7-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Fri | 15-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Christmas | Wed | 25-Dec | Public Holiday |
FAQs
Q. Is Basant Panchami good for marriage?
A. Yes, Basant Panchami is an auspicious day to get married or to start any new thing or phase in life.
Q. What is the date of Basant Panchami 2024?
A. Basant Panchami date 2024 is 14th February, Wednesday.
Q. Is Saraswati Puja a national holiday?
A. No, it’s an optional holiday.
Q. Why is Basant Panchami yellow?
A. The colour yellow on Basant Panchami signifies the brilliance of nature and the vibrancy of life.
Q. Can we eat onion on Basant Panchami?
A. There is nothing wrong with eating onion on Basant Panchami. However, some people avoid the use of onion and garlic in their food on Basant Panchami.
