Basant Panchami 2022: Spring is here! Let’s celebrate with food, kites and pay our respects to the goddess of knowledge

Basant Panchami marks the arrival of spring in India, which means we have a lot to rejoice as the fog blanket will evaporate soon, you might not have to layer up with three sweaters, and the most beautiful chrysanthemums will bloom in your balcony garden. You can also plan wonderful picnics in the park (but do continue to follow social distancing measures) in the coming days.

However, today should be exclusively dedicated to festivities at home, as Basant Panchami is also the day we worship the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati. And, if you are the organised sort, who likes to plan in advance, let us tell you that historically, Basant Panchami (also known as Vasant Panchami) is the day preparations for Holi begin. Exactly 40 days from today, if Omicron doesn’t continue to ruin our social life, we might at least be able to host Holi house parties and have a few (vaccinated) guests over. So, start loading up on the organic colours already.

Create Your Own Sunshine Today

On Basant Panchami, we create our own sunshine (figuratively speaking). It is auspicious to wear yellow outfits on this day, as it is goddess Saraswati’s favourite colour and the colour denotes knowledge and wisdom (a little bit of which, we all can use). Yellow is also thematic of the wild mustard fields which resemble a yellow sea, as the little yellow mustard flowers bloom, with the arrival of spring.

Note The Right Time
If you plan to worship goddess Saraswati, start hurrying your Panditji to arrive early, get your books lined-up in neat piles in front of the goddess statue, and we hope you find the prettiest palash flowers to decorate your home mandir, and draw lovely swan shaped alpanas before 07:07 AM today. Vasant Panchami Muhurat is from 07:07 AM to 12:35 PM this year, so this is the best time to pay your tribute to the goddess of all creative pursuits like music, dance, and writing. You can chant your saraswati vandana, and meditate on the new beginnings that your creative life needs.

Have Your Own Food Festival At Home
Basant Panchami is also marked with some wonderfully cooked traditional dishes, and prasads that make you want a second helping. The yellow theme is very important in food as well as yellow desserts rule the menu today. Do try Boondi Ki Ladoo, Shrikhand and Rava Kesari. If you are from the state of West Bengal, don’t skip the Khichdi prasad.

The Many Ways To Celebrate This Day
In India, various states celebrate Basant Panchami differently. While in northern states of Punjab and Haryana, terraces become people’s den and the sky is invaded with thousands of kites, in Bengal, Saraswati Puja pandal-hopping in yellow outfits is customary for youngsters. In Southern states the day is known as Sri Panchami and in Gujarat it is celebrated with flower gardens and people exchanging gifts. In some states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh people worship lord Shiva and goddess Parvadi on this day.