Word ‘Basant’ means Spring. An important Indian festival, Basant Panchami, Vasant Panchami or Shree Panchami, is associated with the season of Spring. Spring is crowned as the king of all seasons. It falls in the Indian month of Maagh(January-February). Just like Makar Sankranti, this festival also marks the closure of Winter when fresh and gentle weather replaces the haunting cold and bid goodbye to the winter blues. This festival specifically represents the yellow color, and Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Wisdom, art, culture and music. That is why this day is also known for Saraswati Puja.
According to the popular belief, the origins of this festival lie in Aryan period. Aryans came and settled in India through Khyber Pass, crossing the Saraswati River among many others. Being a primitive civilization, most of their development took place along the banks of the River Saraswati. Thus, River Saraswati began to be associated with fertility and knowledge. It is then that the day began to be celebrated.
The day of Vasant Panchami is dedicated to the Goddess of learning. The story goes that after the creation of Universe, Lord Brahma was very pleased with Himself. So, he wanted to see the whole world with his own eyes. Therefore, he set out on a journey. When he saw the world, he was disappointed with the complete silence. Everyone on Earth appeared very lonely. Lord Brahma gave a lot of thought to what He had created.
So, He took some water in his Kamandalu and sprinkled it in air. An angelappeared from a tree. The angel had a veena (harp) in her hand. Lord Brahmarequested her to play something so that everything on Earth would becomevibrant. As a result, the angel started playing some music.
According to the Vasant Panchami story, the angel blessed the people of theEarth with voice. She also filled this planet with music. Since then, that angel came to be known as Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of speech and knowledge. She is also known as Veena Vadini (harp player).
This festival is considered very auspicious for children as they are taught to write their first word on this day as a beginning of learning. Renowned Indian educationist Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya started a trend to inaugurate new schools, colleges, and other academic institutions.
It also announces the soon to be arrived another big springtime event – Holi, the festival of colors. On the day of Basant Panchami Holika (a log) is placed in a public place for the next 40 days. People add twigs and other flammable material to form a pyre which is lit on the occassion of Holi.
Symbols
The Goddess Sarasvati is the goddess of intellect and learning. She has four hands which symbolize ego, intellect, alertness and the mind. She carries a lotus and scriptures in two of her hands and she plays music on the veena (an instrument similar to a sitar) with her other two hands. She rides on a white swan. Her white dress is a symbol for purity. Her swan signifies that people should have the ability to discern the good from the bad.
The goddess Sarasvati, sitting on a lotus, symbolizes her wisdom. She is also well-versed in the experience of truth. When the goddess is seen sitting on a peacock, it is a reminder that a strong ego can be held back by wisdom.