The festival of Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Puja marks the arrival of spring in India. It falls on the fifth day of the bright lunar fortnight or Sukla Paksha of the Magha month, according to the Hindu calendar. This month coincides with the January-February period in the Gregorian calendar. On this day, people worship Goddess Saraswati, recite prayers and perform elaborate puja.
Basant Panchami Saraswati puja 2024 auspicious time
Date: February 14, 2024
Day: Wednesday
Basant Panchami duration: 2:41 PM on Feb 13 to 12:09 PM on Feb 14 2023
Saraswati puja muhurat: 7:01 AM to 12:35 PM
How to perform saraswati puja at home?
- Before you start the puja, make sure to clean the puja room and remove any clutter.
- Set up a pooja altar or mandir. Now, place an idol or picture of Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesha.
- Perform the purification ritual. Decorate the space by lighting an oil lamp and incense sticks. Place a few colourful flowers, garlands, turmeric, kumkum, rice, etc.
- Prepare offerings for the goddess, such as sweets, fruits and flowers.
- Traditionally, people also keep books, pens, paint brushes, musical instruments, writing materials or things related to art for the puja.
- Fill a copper or brass Kalash with water. Place at least five mango leaves in it and betel leaf at the top.
- Start the Saraswati puja by chanting mantras.
- Perform the aarti by lighting a lamp and circling it around the deity while singing devotional songs or reciting shlokas or mantras.
- Offer the prasad and offerings to the goddess. Distribute the prasad to others.
Saraswati puja mantra
Yaa kundendu tushar haar dhawala, yaa shubhra vastravrutha, yaa veena varadanda manditakara yaa shweta padmasanaa. Yaa brahmachyuta shankara prabhrutibhi devai sadaa vandita, saa maama pathu saraswati bhagavati nishshesha, jadyapaha.
Aum saraswathyae namah, dhyanartham, pushpam samarpayami.
Basant Panchami Saraswati puja: Significance
Basant Panchami is considered an auspicious day to start new things in one’s life. Many people consider performing Griha Pravesh puja or starting a new business, as the Basant Panchami festival is associated with good luck and prosperity. This is also the ideal time for harvesting crops. Thus, the day has a special significance for the people in India.
Moreover, according to Hindu traditions, it is believed that the Goddess of learning and knowledge, Saraswati, descended on earth on the day of Basant Panchami.
See also: Griha Pravesh Muhurat 2023: Best Nakshatra, Month-Wise Dates
Saraswati Puja Vastu tips
- According to Vastu Shastra, the north direction is considered auspicious and the idol of Goddess Saraswati should be placed here.
- When choosing an idol or picture of the deity for the Saraswati puja, make sure the goddess has the mudra sitting on the lotus flower.
- Avoid an idol or image where the goddess is in a standing posture. Do not install two idols.
See also: Saraswati puja decoration ideas at home
Saraswati Puja: Ingredients
Some of the basic ingredients for a Saraswati puja are:
- Haldi (Turmeric)
- Mango leaves
- Kalash (Pot)
- Incense sticks
- Sweets for the deities
Basant Panchami Saraswati puja: Home décor ideas
On the auspicious occasion of Saraswati puja, one can go for creative home decoration for their home entrance, living room, terrace or balcony and other areas:
Marigold flowers
Since the festival is associated with the yellow colour, go for fresh yellow marigold flowers to make the house look bright and appealing.
Source: Pinterest
Rangoli designs
A Basant Panchami-themed rangoli design can elevate the beauty of your living space. Consider including images of Swan, Veena, etc., which are associated with Goddess Saraswati.
Source: Pinterest
Door hangings or toran
Adorn the entrance door and other doors of the house with beautiful ornaments. Choose beads and bells, which will also bring in positive energies.
Source: Pinterest
Backdrop
Opt for colourful yellow fabric as a backdrop for the Saraswati puja and celebrations. You can take it up as a DIY project and include interest colour combinations and decorations to create a welcoming space.
Source: Pinterest
Outdoor decoration
Decorate outdoor areas of your house with beautiful and colourful kites and yellow flowers.
Source: Pinterest
How to celebrate Basant Panchami?
Wear yellow attire
Start the day by taking a bath and wearing a yellow attire, which is the tradition and considered auspicious.
Prepare feast
On the occasion of Saraswati puja, people prepare yellow sweets or food at home. Goodess Saraswati is offered boondi, laddoo, sweet rice and dry fruits.
Perform Saraswati puja
Seek the blessings of goddess Saraswati by performing elaborate Saraswati puja. The goddess bestows the devotees with knowledge and wisdom. Some people also prefer to perform puja in temples, schools and other educational institutions.
On Basant Panchami, one can also conduct a havan with the help of a priest to promote positive vibrations.
Kite flying
Most people go for kite flying on the occasion of Basant Panchami, especially in the state of Punjab. You can engage with children in your locality for this activity.
FAQs
Where should you place goddess Saraswati as per Vastu?
According to Vastu, goddess Saraswati must be positioned in the north direction.
Can we keep idol of goddess Saraswati at home?
One can keep an idol of goddess Saraswati at home and worship daily, which brings success in life.
Why do people wear yellow clothes on Basant Panchami?
According to Vastu, the Sun is in Uttarayan on Basant Panchami and the earth changes it colour to yellow when the sun’s rays fall on it. Hence, the festival is associated with yellow colour and people wear yellow clothes on this day.
How do people celebrate Basant Panchami?
People celebrate Basant Panchami by performing Saraswati Puja, organising havan, preparing feast and flying kites.
Is Basant Panchami a harvest festival?
Basant Panchami is celebrated as a harvest festival in Punjab. During this time, mustard crops ripen and mustard flowers grow in the fields.
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