In Sanskrit Vasanta means spring. Panchami is the fifth day of Shukla Paksha, the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Magha, (January – February). Vasanta Panchami, which marks the end of the winter and heralds in spring, is dedicated to goddess Saraswati. She is a goddess of water and of a river bearing her name. Her water originates in the Himalayas, flows southeast and meets the Ganges at Prayag near its confluence with the Yamuna (Triveni). Saraswati is also a goddess of speech and learning who blesses the world with vach (words), hymns, Sanskrit and the wealth of knowledge. It is auspicious for children to begin school and learn their first word on this day. In the ancient Indian texts, the Vedas, the prayer for Sarasvati depicts her as a pristine lady in a white dress embellished with white flowers and white pearls. She sits on a white lotus blooming in a wide stretch of water (neluhini). She holds a veena, a string instrument similar to a sitar. No animal is sacrificed and Indians have a vegetarian meal. Saraswati's prayer concludes,
"Oh, Mother Sarasvati, remove the darkness (ignorance) of my mind and bless me with the eternal knowledge." In India, Vasanta is not a national holiday. However, it is celebrated in North and Eastern India. Students participate in the decoration and preparation of their place of worship. A few weeks before the celebration, schools become active in organizing various annual competitions of music, debate, sports and other activities. Prizes are distributed on the day of Vasanta Panchami. Many schools organize cultural activities in the evening of the Saraswati Puja day when parents and other community members attend the functions to encourage the children. On Vasanta Pacham day, everyone rises early to bathe, dress in yellow clothes, adorn their forehead with the yellow of turmeric (tilak), and worship the Sun God, Mother Ganga, and the earth. Books, articles, musical instruments, tools for art such as earthen inkpots and bamboo quills, are placed in front of the goddess to receive her blessings. The ink is made from unboiled milk water, red colour powder and silver glitter called avro. Although it is auspicious for children to learn their first word on this day of celebration, everyone abstains from their usual reading and writing in deference to the goddess. The colour yellow represents good fortune, spirituality, the ripening of the spring crops and the recent harvest. Food is coloured with saffron. The goddess Saraswati is dressed in yellow. In some traditional homes, sweetmeats of yellowish hues, such as kesar halva are offered to relatives and friends. Yellow flowers are used in abundance to decorate the places of worship. The yellow flowers of the mustard crop covers the field in such a way that it seems as if gold is spread over the land, glittering in the rays of the sun. Sufi festival The Sufis introduced the festival to the Muslim community in India. By the Mughal period, Basant was a popular festival at major Sufi shrines. There are, for example, historical records of Nizam Auliya ki Basant, Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki ki Basant, Khusrau ki Basant; festivals arranged around the shrines of these various Sufi saints. Amir Khusro (1253–1325) and Nizamuddin Auliya celebrated the festival with songs that used the word basant (festival).[5] Khusrau, a Sufi-poet of the thirteenth century, composed verses about Vasanta: Aaj basant manaalay, suhaagan, Aaj basant manaalay Anjan manjan kar piya mori, lambay neher lagaalay Tu kya sovay neend ki maasi, So jaagay teray bhaag, suhaagun, Aaj basant manaalay. Oonchi naar kay oonchay chitvan, Ayso diyo hai banaaye Shah Amir tuhay dekhan ko, nainon say naina milaaye, Suhaagun, aaj basant manaalay. Celebrate basant today, O bride, Celebrate Basant today Apply kajal to your eyes, and decorate your long hair Oh why are you the servant of sleep? Even your fate is wide awake, Celebrate Basant today, O high lady with high looks, That is how you were made, When the king looks at you, your eyes meet his eyes, O Bride, Celebrate Basant today. The first day of Spring (Boshonto) of Bengali month Falgun, of the Bengali calendar, celebrated in Bangladesh and West Bengal with processions, fairs and family time. In Bengali, Pahela stands for 'first' and 'Falgun' is eleventh month of the Bengali calendar. This day is marked with colourful celebration and traditionally, women wear yellow saris to celebrate this day. This celebration is also as Boshonto Utshob (Bengali: বসন্ত উৎসব; Spring Festival). Basant celebrations in Pakistan are limited. Instead, the Jashn-e-baharaan (Urdu) spring festival is celebrated for one month. Basant does continue in Lahore, Punjab however, the festival and the term "Basant" is associated with the annual kite flying festival rather than the historical Spring festival itself. Typically kite manufacturers announce one Sunday either in February or March as the Basant day, which sees record numbers of kites being flown across the city. Various fairs are held throughout the region. One such fair was started by Kalu Ram dedicated to the memory of Haqiqat Rai. Maharaja Ranjit Singh held many fairs and introduced kite flying to such fairs which he also held at Sufi shrines Controversy Basant is synonymous in Pakistan with a kite flying celebration rather than the seasonal festival association of neighbouring India. Controversy about the celebration of Basant in Pakistan is due to concerns about its safety. Safety concerns include the use of metal or glass coated kite strings (a slurry of fine glass shards which allows one flyer to cut another's kite loose), power breakdowns due to damage from kites, overcrowding and the use of firearms. In small villages, disadvantaged children were trying to pull down kites. In 2005, kite flying was banned in Pakistan. In 2009, nine people in Pakistan died in kite flying related incidents. In the Punjab region, the Vasanta Pachami is known as the Basant Panchami. In the towns and villages of North India, Vasanta Pachami is celebrated as the secular Basant Festival of kites by all communities as a seasonal festival. Fields of mustard present a colourful sight all over rural Punjab. The phrase Ayi Basant Pala Udant, meaning, "with the onset of spring, winter bids adieu" is used. Sharada Bhujangam - In sanskrit with meaning - composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya शारदा भुजङ्ग प्रयाताष्टकम् - सुवक्षोजकुम्भां सुधापूर्णकुम्भां Sharada Bhujanga Prayatashtakam: Suvaksoja Kumbham Sudha Purna Kumbham सुवक्षोजकुम्भां सुधापूर्णकुम्भां प्रसादावलम्बां प्रपुण्यावलम्बाम् । सदास्येन्दुबिम्बां सदानोष्ठबिम्बां भजे शारदाम्बामजस्रं मदम्बाम् ॥१॥ Suvakssoja-Kumbhaam Sudhaa-Puurnna-Kumbhaam Prasaada-Avalambaam Prapunnya-Avalambaam | Sadaa-[Aa]sye[a-I]ndu-Bimbaam Sadaan-Ossttha-Bimbaam Bhaje Shaaradaa-[Aa]mbaam-Ajasram Mad-Ambaam ||1|| Meaning: 1.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Mother Sharada) Whose beautiful Bosom is filled with the Pitcher of Nectar, ... 1.2: ... inside which rests abundant Grace (Prasada) and Auspiciousness (Prapunya), 1.3: Whose Face always reflect the Beauty of Moon, over which Her Lips always shine like (reddish) Bimba Fruits, 1.4: I worship Mother Sharada, Who is my Eternal Mother, flowers Devi Sharada कटाक्षे दयार्द्रां करे ज्ञानमुद्रां कलाभिर्विनिद्रां कलापैः सुभद्राम् । पुरस्त्रीं विनिद्रां पुरस्तुङ्गभद्रां भजे शारदाम्बामजस्रं मदम्बाम् ॥२॥ Kattaaksse Daya-[A]ardraam Kare Jnyaana-Mudraam Kalaabhir-Vinidraam Kalaapaih Subhadraam | Pura-Striim Vinidraam Puras-Tungga-Bhadraam Bhaje Shaaradaa-[Aa]mbaam-Ajasram Mad-Ambaam ||2|| Meaning: 2.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Mother Sharada) Whose Glance is moist with Compassion, and Whose Hand shows the Gyana Mudra (Gesture of Knowledge), 2.2: Who is (ever) Wakeful by Her Arts (which She showers), and Who looks (ever) Auspicious by Her Ornaments (which She is adorned with), 2.3: Who is the ever Awake Mother Goddess of the Town (of Shringeri), the Blessed Town (by the bank of) river Tunga which is ever Auspicious (by Her presence), 2.4: I worship Mother Sharada, Who is my Eternal Mother, flowers ललामाङ्कफालां लसद्गानलोलां स्वभक्तैकपालां यशःश्रीकपोलाम् । करे त्वक्षमालां कनत्प्रत्नलोलां भजे शारदाम्बामजस्रं मदम्बाम् ॥३॥ Lalaama-Angka-Phaalaam Lasad-Gaana-Lolaam Sva-Bhaktai[a-E]ka-Paalaam Yashah-Shrii-Kapolaam | Kare Tva[u-A]kssa-Maalaam Kanat-Pratna-Lolaam Bhaje Shaaradaa-[Aa]mbaam-Ajasram Mad-Ambaam ||3|| Meaning: 3.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Mother Sharada) Whose Forehead is decorated with a beautiful Curved Mark, and Who is moved by beautiful Song and Music (sung by the Devotees), 3.2: Who is the one Refuge of Her Devotees, to whom She bestows Glory and Prosperity which radiates from the two Cheeks (of Her Face), 3.3: Who holds the Beads of Rosary in Her Hand, whose gentle movement moves the Tradition (and ushers a new generation), 3.4: I worship Mother Sharada, Who is my Eternal Mother, सुसीमन्तवेणीं दृशा निर्जितैणीं रमत्कीरवाणीं नमद्वज्रपाणीम् । सुधामन्थरास्यां मुदा चिन्त्यवेणीं भजे शारदाम्बामजस्रं मदम्बाम् ॥४॥ Su-Siimanta-Venniim Drshaa Nirjitai[a-E]nniim Ramat-Kiira-Vaanniim Namad-Vajra-Paanniim | Sudhaa-Mantha-Raasyaam Mudaa Cintya-Venniim Bhaje Shaaradaa-[Aa]mbaam-Ajasram Mad-Ambaam ||4|| Meaning: 4.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Mother Sharada) Whose Hair is parted (in the middle) and forms a Braid, the Beauty ( like Black Deer ) of which has conquered (the directions), 4.2: (This is accompanied by) Her Delightful Voice like a Parrot, before which the one with Vajra in Hand (i.e. Indra Deva) bows down, 4.3: She stirs up a Play of Nectar (of Bliss) which should be meditated upon as a stream of Joy (within the Heart), 4.4: I worship Mother Sharada, Who is my Eternal Mother, सुशान्तां सुदेहां दृगन्ते कचान्तां लसत् सल्लताङ्गीमनन्तामचिन्त्याम् । स्मतां तापसैः सर्गपूर्वस्थितां तां भजे शारदाम्बामजस्रं मदम्बाम् ॥५॥ Sushaantaam Sudehaam Drg-Ante Kaca-Antaam Lasat Sal-Lataa-[A]nggiim-Anantaam-Acintyaam | Smataam Taapasaih Sarga-Puurva-Sthitaam Taam Bhaje Shaaradaa-[Aa]mbaam-Ajasram Mad-Ambaam ||5|| Meaning: 5.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Mother Sharada) Who is very Calm with a Beautiful Form; And Her Hair extends (Endlessly) till the End of Sight (outer as well as inner), 5.2: (Similarly) Her Shining Form like a Creeper is Endless and Inconceivable, 5.3: (Her Divine Form) is contemplated upon by the Ascetics (within their Hearts); That Form which existed prior to Creation, 5.4: I worship Mother Sharada, Who is my Eternal Mother, कुरङ्गे तुरङ्गे मृगेन्द्रे खगेन्द्रे मराले मदेभे महोक्षेऽधिरूढाम् । महत्यां नवम्यां सदा सामरूपां भजे शारदाम्बामजस्रं मदम्बाम् ॥६॥ Kurangge Turangge Mrgendre Khagendre Maraale Made[a-I]bhe Mahoksse-[A]dhiruuddhaam | Mahatyaam Navamyaam Sadaa Saama-Ruupaam Bhaje Shaaradaa-[Aa]mbaam-Ajasram Mad-Ambaam ||6|| Meaning: 6.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Mother Sharada) Who rides on a Deer (Kuranga), Who rides on a Horse (Turanga), Who rides on the king of Animals (Lion) (Mrigendra), Who rides on the king of Birds (Eagle) (Khagendra), ... 6.2: ... Who rides on a Swan (Marala), Who rides on an Intoxicated Elephant (Mada Iva), and Who rides on a Large Bull (Mahoksha), 6.3: She manifests Nine Great Forms, but (essentially) She is always very Tranquil (Sada Samorupam), 6.4: I worship Mother Sharada, Who is my Eternal Mother, ज्वलत्कान्तिवह्निं जगन्मोहनाङ्गीं भजन्मानसाम्भोजसुभ्रान्तभृङ्गीम् । निजस्तोत्रसङ्गीतनृत्यप्रभाङ्गी भजे शारदाम्बामजस्रं मदम्बाम् ॥७॥ Jvalat-Kaanti-Vahnim Jagan-Mohana-Anggiim Bhajan-Maanasa-Ambhoja-Subhraanta-Bhrnggiim | Nija-Stotra-Sanggiita-Nrtya-Prabhaanggii Bhaje Shaaradaa-[Aa]mbaam-Ajasram Mad-Ambaam ||7|| Meaning: 7.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Mother Sharada) Whose Form shines with the Beauty of a Blazing Fire (Jwalat Kanti Vahnim), which enchants the whole World (Jagan Mohana Angim), 7.2: I worship (meditate) within the Lotus of my Mind (Heart) that wondrous Form which wanders like a Bee (wandering over a Lotus), ... 7.3: ... [That Form] which shines with the Glory of Her own Stotra set to the melody of Music and Dance, 7.4: I worship Mother Sharada, Who is my Eternal Mother, भवाम्भोजनेत्राजसम्पूज्यमानां लसन्मन्दहासप्रभावक्त्रचिह्नाम् । चलच्चञ्चलाचारुताटङ्ककर्णां भजे शारदाम्बामजस्रं मदम्बाम् ॥८॥ Bhava-Ambhoja-Netra-Aja-Sampuujyamaanaam Lasan-Manda-Haasa-Prabhaa-Vaktra-Cihnaam | Calac-Can.calaa-Caaru-Taattangka-Karnnaam Bhaje Shaaradaa-[Aa]mbaam-Ajasram Mad-Ambaam ||8|| Meaning: 8.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Mother Sharada) Whose Eyes are like the Unborn (Immortal) Lotus born on the water of this (Mortal) World (Bhava Ambhoja Netra Aja) (to take the Devotees beyond); (those Eyes) which are fit to be Worshipped (to go beyond this Mortal World), 8.2: Whose Shining Face is marked by a Gentle Smile (playing over it), 8.3: Whose Ears are adorned with Beautiful Ear-Rings, moving (with the movement of Her Beautiful Face), 8.4: I worship Mother Sharada, Who is my Eternal Mother, VASANTHA PANCHAMI IS FAMOUS AT SHRINGERI KR IRS 24126 On Fri, 23 Jan 2026 at 19:07, Jambunathan Iyer <[email protected]> wrote: > *Thai Month Vasant Panchami – Sri Saraswati Pooja* > > A sacred day to worship *Sri Saraswati Devi*, the fountain of wisdom, > art, music, learning, and memory. > > *With Saraswati’s grace – knowledge, art, and noble living flourish. The > veena’s melody is the sound of wisdom; Vasant Panchami is the light of > life.* > > *Significance* * > > · Dawn of Spring – nature awakens with fresh life. > > · Blessings of Saraswati – growth in knowledge, clarity, memory, > and creativity. > > · Glory of Yellow – symbol of wisdom, light, prosperity, and > purity. > > > *Legend *When Brahma created the world, it was without knowledge. > He brought forth Saraswati Devi, and as she played her veena, > sound, language, and wisdom blossomed across creation. > > > *Simple Worship at Home * > > · Cleanse the home and adorn Saraswati’s image with yellow > flowers. > > · Place veena, books, and writing instruments before the Goddess. > > · Chant the mantra *“Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah”* 108 times. > > · Students dedicate their books, pens, and notebooks to her grace. > > *Observances * > > · Eat simple sattvic food, with yellow dishes like kheer. > > · Avoid harsh words; engage in music, art, and reading. > > > *Blessings *✔ Progress in education > ✔ Sharpened memory > ✔ Eloquence in speech > ✔ Growth in artistic talents > ✔ Peace of mind and purity of thought > ✔ Removal of obstacles in children’s learning > > > Thai Vasant Panchami is the holy day that unites the spring of nature > with the spring of wisdom in the heart. > *May the grace of Sri Saraswati Devi bring wisdom, knowledge, and art to > flourish!* > > > *N Jambunathan , Chennai " What you get by achieving your goals is not as > important as what you become by achieving your goals. If you want to live a > happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things "* > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoqY8fuO%2BggZE3AXNwc2EeaMy3LO8YGda8N%2BpT2vOWFrEw%40mail.gmail.com.
